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Lynch v. Donnelly

Significance, Public Religious Displays, Further Readings



Petitioner

Lynch, Mayor of Pawtucket, et al.

Respondent

Donnelly, et al.

Petitioner's Claim

A nativity scene should be allowed in public view.

Chief Lawyer for Petitioner

William F. McMahon

Chief Lawyer for Respondent

Amato A. DeLuca

Justices for the Court

Warren E. Burger (writing for the Court), Sandra Day O'Connor, Lewis F. Powell, Jr., William H. Rehnquist, Byron R. White

Justices Dissenting

Harry A. Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, John Paul Stevens

Place

Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision

5 March 1984

Decision

The nativity scene was allowed to remain in view.

Related Cases

  • Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).
  • County of Allegheny v. ACLU, 492 U.S. 573 (1989).

Sources

Hirsley, Michael. "Religious Display Needs Firm Court."Chicago Tribune, 20 December 1991.

Additional topics

Law Library - American Law and Legal InformationNotable Trials and Court Cases - 1981 to 1988