FFRF got involved after being informed that the city of Buena Park, Calif., was hosting an annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Although a nonprofit organization was promoted as presenting the prayer breakfast, the city’s website was advertising the event and instructing the public to send RSVPs and payments for tickets to Buena Park City Hall and to call the Office of the City Manager phone number for more information about the religious event.
FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell wrote to the city clerk on Nov. 10, informing the city that the hosting of the prayer breakfast posed serious First Amendment violation concerns. Cavell asked that the city cease all sponsorship and organization of the event, and to disassociate Buena Park and the mayor’s office from the event.
The city attorney responded on Dec. 22 indicating that Buena Park would be handing over more responsibility to the nonprofit organization and discontinuing the city promotion and ticket sales. The city also plans to change the name of the event.