John Wahl Says APLS Board Must Defend Religious Liberty in Alabama Libraries Following Lawsuit

From John Wahl

Montgomery, AL — Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board Chairman John Wahl is calling for action to ensure that religious liberty is protected in Alabama’s public libraries following a federal lawsuit filed by the Eagle Forum of Alabama against the Tuscaloosa Public Library. The lawsuit followed the library’s decision to deny religious groups the ability to rent public space in the library. 

“I am deeply troubled by the allegations in this lawsuit,” said Wahl. “If a public library opens its meeting rooms to community groups, those spaces must be available to everyone on equal terms. Denying access to a group simply because they wish to discuss issues from a Christian or religious perspective is unacceptable.”

The lawsuit was filed March 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, after the Tuscaloosa Public Library canceled reservations by Eagle Forum of Alabama. The library made the decision to cancel based on the group’s religious discussion, including conversations about how Christian scripture informs current events.

“Religious liberty is one of the most basic rights protected under the First Amendment,” Wahl continued. “Public institutions should never discriminate against citizens or groups because of their faith. Libraries exist to serve their community—not to silence certain viewpoints.”

Wahl said that he believes the Alabama Public Library Service has a duty to look into the situation and take action to protect religious liberty at the state board meeting this Thursday.  

“I believe the APLS Board should take a close look at this situation and consider what actions may be necessary to ensure that religious groups are not discriminated against in Alabama’s public libraries,” Wahl said. “No church group, Bible study, or faith-based organization should ever be told they are not welcome in a public, taxpayer funded meeting room that is open to everyone else.”

Wahl emphasized that this is not about any single group, but rather about the larger impact on guaranteed constitutional rights. 

“Whether someone agrees with Eagle Forum or not is beside the point,” Wahl said. “The real issue here is whether public institutions will respect the constitutional rights of citizens. Regardless of where someone stands on those debates, no organization should be denied access to a public meeting space simply because they are a Christian group. That kind of viewpoint discrimination is deeply troubling and undermines public trust.”

For More Information Please Contact John Wahl at 334-405-3090