A small South Carolina city committee refused to take away a Nativity scene from a market car parking zone after the mayor ordered it taken down from public property.
Round Thanksgiving, Kimberly Byrd, head of the Mullins Beautification Committee in Mullins, South Carolina, stated her small workforce determined to embellish town’s new market space for its first Christmas season “like a Hallmark film,” hoping to attract extra clients to the downtown space.
The group spent about two weeks inserting decorations they paid for out of their very own pockets, together with a snowman, wreaths, lights, Santa Claus and a small 3-by-4-foot Nativity scene. Byrd stated she later acquired a textual content from Mayor Miko Pickett asking her to take away the Nativity scene, citing issues about residents of different faiths and beliefs in the neighborhood.
Byrd stated the mayor’s request shocked her.
“Our small city, we have now a church on each nook,” Byrd advised Fox Information Digital. “It’s a faith-based group within the Bible Belt. I’ve been right here 53 years of my life and by no means heard of something like this occurring right here.”
Byrd stated she acquired help from some metropolis council members to maintain the show in place and determined to take a stand by vowing to maintain the Nativity scene the place it was.
“Christ is why we have fun Christmas,” Byrd stated. “I actually thought she would most likely change her thoughts or come again and say, ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake. Let’s have a gathering about this,’ however nothing.”
In a press release posted to Fb on Nov. 26, Pickett stated she requested solely that the Nativity scene be faraway from the general public parking space, arguing {that a} spiritual image on public property violated the “separation of church and state.”
Byrd stated if the mayor or metropolis council finally removes the Nativity scene, she would take down the opposite Christmas decorations as nicely, as a result of she feels strongly about conserving Jesus Christ on the heart of the vacation.
“How are we supposed to elucidate to our youngsters that we have now to cover our faith, cover our beliefs, and conceal what Christmas is about?” Byrd stated. “Christmas just isn’t about Santa Claus. It’s concerning the start of Jesus.”
Byrd stated she has acquired overwhelming help from inside and outdoors the group.
“I by no means thought I’d need to do something like this,” she stated. “However on the finish of the day, we have now to face for what we consider in and what’s proper.”
Pickett didn’t return Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
Within the 1984 US Supreme Court docket case, Lynch v. Donnelly, the courtroom dominated in a 5-4 choice {that a} Nativity scene displayed by a Rhode Island metropolis didn’t violate the institution clause when it was a part of a broader vacation show that included secular symbols.
Mullins councilman Albert Woodberry advised ABC15 Information he has not spoken with the mayor concerning the problem however believes the Nativity scene ought to stay.
“Sure, I’d like for it to remain till the season’s over with,” Woodberry stated. “Children cross right here, folks come by way of to see it, so it’s OK. It shouldn’t be an issue for it staying up.”
Becket, a spiritual liberty regulation agency, awarded Byrd its 2025 “Tiny Tim Toast” award this week, impressed by the “A Christmas Carol” character, for her actions.
“Within the face of accelerating authorities efforts to clean faith from public life, we must always all try to be like Kimberly Byrd,” Mark Rienzi, president of Becket, stated. “Her braveness to face up for the Nativity scene was admirable and patriotic. We’re completely satisfied to lift a hearty toast to Kimberly and others like her who’ve stored the religion and introduced a bit extra pleasure to this vacation season.”
