Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Plaintiff,
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v.
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TOWN OF KNIGHTSTOWN, INDIANA, )
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Defendant.
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No. 1:16-cv-3315
The town square in Knightstown, Indiana, is dominated by a large evergreen tree. During
the Christmas season it is decorated by the Town with lights and ornaments. At the top of the
tree is placed a large Latin cross, which is illuminated at night by lights that circle it. There are
no other holiday decorations on the square. The cross is the best known symbol of Christianity
and Knightstowns prominent display of this symbol represents an establishment of religion in
violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Appropriate injunctive and
declaratory relief must issue.
Jurisdiction, venue, and cause of action
2.
This Court has jurisdiction of this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1343.
3.
4.
Declaratory relief is authorized by Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and
Plaintiffs claim is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983 to redress the deprivation, under
color of state law, of rights secured by the Constitution of the United States.
[1]
Parties
6.
7.
Factual allegations
8.
Located in the center of Knightstown, on the north side of U.S. 40, is a one block median
Knightstowns town square contains a large evergreen tree, a gazebo, benches, tables, and
The Knightstown police station and Town Hall are located less than one block south of
For a number of years the Town of Knightstown has placed decorations and lights on the
At night the lights are illuminated and the tree becomes a large Christmas tree.
13.
For a number of years the Town of Knightstown has placed a large Latin cross at the top
of the tree.
14.
15.
Attached to this complaint as exhibits 2-6 are current photographs of the town square, the
The Latin cross is the preeminent symbol of Christianity, representing the instrument of
The religious significance of the cross is not in any way diminished by any secular
[2]
19.
Mr. Tompkins reasonably perceives the Town of Knightstowns display of the Latin
He objects to any of his tax dollars going to pay for the erection or maintenance of the
In the course of his every day affairs and travel in his hometown of Knightstown he is
forced to come into direct and unwelcome contact with the cross display.
23.
He is being caused irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law.
24.
The display of the Latin cross on the town square in Knightstown violates the
Accept jurisdiction of this case and set it for hearing at the earliest opportunity.
b.
Declare that the actions of the defendant violate the First Amendment to the
United States Constitution as noted above.
c.
Enter a preliminary injunction, later to be made permanent, enjoining the Town of
Knightstown to remove the Latin cross currently on display on Town property.
d.
Award plaintiff his costs and reasonable attorneys fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
1988.
e.
[3]
s/ Kenneth J. Falk
Kenneth J. Falk
s/ Jan P. Mensz
Jan P. Mensz
ACLU of Indiana
1031 E. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-635-4059
fax: 317-635-4105
kfalk@aclu-in.org
jmensz@aclu-in.org
Attorneys for Plaintiff
[4]
12/8/2016
11NWashingtonStGoogleMaps
Case 1:16-cv-03315-WTL-MPB Document
1-1 Filed 12/08/16 Page 1 of 1 PageID #: 5
11 N Washington St
2016 Google
Knightstown, Indiana
Street View - Oct 2013
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7958189,85.5248568,3a,75y,284.33h,95.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swzKp734sKRrrOQ3cCPF4Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
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CLERK OF COURT
Date: ______________________
_______________________________________
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
PROOF OF SERVICE
(this section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l))
This summons for (name of individual and title, if any) ______________________________________
was received by me on (date)__________________.
I personally served the summons on the individual at (place) __________________________________
________________________________________________ on (date) __________________; or
I left the summons at the individuals residence or usual place of abode with (name)________________
_____________________________________, a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there,
on (date) __________________, and mailed a copy to the individuals last known address; or
I served the summons on (name of individual) ________________________________________, who is
designated by law to accept service of process on behalf of (name of organization) _________________
________________________________________on (date) __________________; or
I returned the summons unexecuted because _____________________________________________; or
Other (specify):
My fees are $ _____________for travel and $_______________for services, for a total of $_______________.
I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.
Date: ____________________
__________________________________________________
Servers Signature
__________________________________________________
Printed name and title
__________________________________________________
Servers address
Additional information regarding attempted service, etc.
12/8/2016
IndianaSouthernCivilCoverSheet
Case 1:16-cv-03315-WTL-MPB Document
1-8 Filed 12/08/16 Page 1 of 2 PageID #: 13
JS44(Rev09/10)
UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURT
SOUTHERNDISTRICTOFINDIANA
CIVILCOVERSHEET
ThisautomatedJS44conformsgenerallytothemanualJS44approvedbytheJudicialConferenceoftheUnitedStatesinSeptember
1974.ThedataisrequiredfortheuseoftheClerkofCourtforthepurposeofinitiatingthecivildocketsheet.Theinformation
containedhereinneitherreplacesnorsupplementsthefilingandserviceofpleadingsorotherpapersasrequiredbylaw.
Plaintiff(s):
Defendant(s):
FirstListedPlaintiff:
JosephTompkins
CountyofResidence:HenryCounty
FirstListedDefendant:
TownofKnightstown
CountyofResidence:HenryCounty
CountyWhereClaimForReliefArose:HenryCounty
Plaintiff'sAttorney(s):
Defendant'sAttorney(s):
KennethFalk(JosephTompkins)
ACLUofIndiana
1031EWashingtonSt
Indianapolis,Indiana46202
Phone:3176354059
Fax:3176354105
Email:kfalk@acluin.org
GreggMorelock(TownofKnightstown)
Brand&Morelock
6W.SouthStreet
Greenfield,Indiana46140
Phone:317/4627787
Fax:
Email:
JanMensz
ACLUofIndiana
1031EWashingtonSt
Indianapolis,Indiana46202
Phone:3176354059
Fax:3176354105
Email:jmensz@acluin.org
BasisofJurisdiction:3.FederalQuestion(U.S.notaparty)
CitizenshipofPrincipalParties(DiversityCasesOnly)
Plaintiff:N/A
Defendant:N/A
Origin:1.OriginalProceeding
NatureofSuit:440AllOtherCivilRights
CauseofAction:42USCs.1983.KnightstowncurrentlyhasadisplayfeaturingalitLatinCross.Thecase
allegesthatthisviolatestheFirstAmendment.
RequestedinComplaint
ClassAction:NotfiledasaClassAction
MonetaryDemand(inThousands):
JuryDemand:No
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12/8/2016
IndianaSouthernCivilCoverSheet
Case 1:16-cv-03315-WTL-MPB Document
1-8 Filed 12/08/16 Page 2 of 2 PageID #: 14
RelatedCases:IsNOTarefilingofapreviouslydismissedaction
Signature:/s/KennethJ.Falk
Date:Dec.8,2016
Ifanyofthisinformationisincorrect,pleaseclosethiswindowandgobacktotheCivilCoverSheetInputformtomakethecorrectionandgeneratethe
updatedJS44.Oncecorrected,printthisform,signanddateit,andsubmititwithyournewcivilaction.
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