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Faith

Atheists to File Civil Rights Complaint After Florists Refuse to Deliver to Teen Behind Prayer Mural Ban

Jan. 20, 2012 8:38pm Billy Hallowell

Wherever there’s a case in the U.S. involving atheist activism, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is bound to get involved. While it was the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that defended teen atheist Jessica Ahlquist in her successful quest to have a prayer mural removed from her Rhode Island public high school, the FFRF is also rushing to the young girl’s defense. Citing discrimination, the organization is filing a civil rights complaint after numerous florists refused to deliver flowers to the girl.

The FFRF reportedly tried to have a dozen roses delivered to Ahlquist with the message, ”Congratulations, and hang in there, with admiration from FFRF.” After being denied by three florists in the Cranston, Rhode Island, area, the group was eventually able to secure an order from a business located in Connecticut.

Atheists File Civil Rights Complaint Against Florist | Jessica Ahlquist & FFRF

Teen atheist Jessica Ahlquist

According to FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Twins Florist, one of the businesses that refused to deliver, violated the Civil Rights Act when the business discriminated based on Ahlquist’s atheism. Gaylor released the receipt order from the florist, which reads, “I will not deliver to this person.”

See the image of the receipt, below:

Image Credit: Patch/Freedom From Religion Foundation

“We have basic civil rights standards in our society. A business can’t shun you because you’re an atheist,” the atheist leader said. “You do not have the right to refuse to do business with someone based on categories and that includes religion. It’s as if they said ‘I will not deliver to a black person.’”

The florists, though, disagree with Gaylor’s stance on the matter. Turnto10.com reports that Raymond Santilli of Flowers by Santilli, one of the companies the FFRF attempted to order from, explains that a foundation representative told him that the person delivering the flowers might need police protection. Additionally, he was apparently told that the person would potentially need identification to enter the home.

“We refused the order because we really don’t want to cross lines,” Santilli said. ”If I send flowers there, somebody may get upset with us and retaliate against us.”

He maintains that he has the right to deliver — or not — to whomever he chooses, because he owns the shop.

Twins Florist owner Marina Plowman echoed these sentiments.

“I just chose not to do it. Nothing personal, it was a choice that I made. It was my right, so I did that,” she said. ”I’m an independent owner and I can chose whoever I want, whenever I want.”

(H/T: Patch)

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Comments (529)

Sh3LLz
Posted on April 11, 2012 at 10:38am
Now Atheists are showing their true ignorance and hypocrisy.

I PRIVATE BUSINESS CAN REFUSE TO DO BUSINESS. END OF STORY.

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AR485
Posted on February 18, 2012 at 6:45am
Let’s see, the school is forced to remove the banner because this young lady finds it offensive, but yet a private business owner is supposed to cater to her despite finding her offensive? How does that make sense. Being atheist and being black are not the same. Atheism is a choice

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Michelamio
Posted on February 17, 2012 at 9:25am
This is my first time on this site, thanks for the laughs.TGIF

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TheObviousWorld
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 9:35am
Flowers for your Allies and piss fire and bricks for your enemies nice!

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SaraD
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:15am
@DJ-DOUG-DJ yep, people obviously don’t realize that is discrimination. and @ALECTO the supreme court actually ruled atheism as a religion, even if they didn’t its still blatant discrimination.

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SaraD
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:12am
They can’t legal refuse her order for her beliefs. They deserve to lose in court, and its good it protects everyone. No can refuse service to you because your christian either.

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DJ-DOUG-DJ
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 4:40pm
Here we go again, civics lesson 101. If you refuse service due to discrimination you will be in jeopardy with the law.

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Alecto
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:46pm
Atheism isn’t religion, and has no constitutional protections. Therefore, anyone who is an atheist cannot invoke First Amendment “free exercise” clause as a hammer to weild against that which they seek to destroy.

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GloWormy
Posted on January 23, 2012 at 2:26am
I think this is hilarious……. If you are going to act like a jerk, expect to be treated like a jerk, Girlie. Love the way these haters twist themselves into self righteous knots over this kind of stuff. Entertaining……. HA!

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giulia1
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 9:01pm
The solution to this would be easy. Have a Christian flower shop call her and tell her they hold nothing against her and will fill the order. Of course she would not have the right to refuse doing business with someone if she is saying someone can’t refuse to do business with her. In the court I believe its unconstitutional when it is not equal. If she wants to force someone to fill her order whether they like her being an atheist or not, i don’t think she could then refuse the order being filled by a Christian shop because she doesn’t like them being Christian.

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g.prunty
Posted on January 22, 2012 at 8:48pm
they can serve whomever they like being a business, owner but I being a customer can and surely would take my business elsewhere!

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