ACLU of Arkansas Takes Issue With $300,000 Contract Between Cities and Faith-Based Group
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Updated: January 16, 2013
The ACLU of Arkansas says it's against a proposed $300,000 deal between a faith-based group and the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock.
At issue: The Union Rescue Mission's hiring policy that it will only hire evangelical Christians to manage a homeless resource center that is being funded to the tune of more than $900,000 by taxpayers.
The issue first came to light when some members of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition sent a letter to Little Rock's mayor on Dec. 22, 2012 expressing their disappoint with URM's refusal to budge on its hiring policy.
In a news release statement, the ACLU of Arkansas said URM's hiring policy amounts to discrimination and crosses the line separating church and state.
The civil rights group said it will "take whatever action is appropriate" as the contract negotiations between the cities and URM move forward.
At issue: The Union Rescue Mission's hiring policy that it will only hire evangelical Christians to manage a homeless resource center that is being funded to the tune of more than $900,000 by taxpayers.
The issue first came to light when some members of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition sent a letter to Little Rock's mayor on Dec. 22, 2012 expressing their disappoint with URM's refusal to budge on its hiring policy.
In a news release statement, the ACLU of Arkansas said URM's hiring policy amounts to discrimination and crosses the line separating church and state.
The civil rights group said it will "take whatever action is appropriate" as the contract negotiations between the cities and URM move forward.
