Colo. Governor Refuses to Welcome Atheist Group
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —
Gov. Bill Owens (search) and Mayor Lionel Rivera declined to extend an official welcome to the Atheist Alliance (search) for its national convention this weekend, and attendees said they felt slighted.
Rivera said he thinks the group's request for a letter of welcome was the only one he had turned down in his 11 months in office. Terry Sullivan of the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau (search) said the governor rarely declines requests for welcome letters.
Rivera said he refused to offer a letter of welcome in part because the group scheduled its convention during Easter and just days after Passover.
"Anybody in the United States is welcome to express their beliefs and opinions," Rivera said. "I just think it's bad timing."
Owens spokeswoman Kristen Hubbell said welcome letters are not granted automatically.
"Just because an organization sends in a request to have a letter from the governor, that doesn't mean a governor has to endorse a particular organization," she said.
Rebecca Hale, a member of Freethinkers of Colorado Springs (search), which is affiliated with the alliance, said she was offended by the politicians' decisions.
"I'm disappointed that the state of Colorado has this kind of leadership that is looking to exclude people," Hale said.
The group describes itself as an organization of independent religion-free groups and individuals that aims to help development of democratic, atheistic societies and promote education on secular issues.
About 150 to 200 people are expected to attend the convention Friday through Sunday.