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, mentioned her small workforce determined to brighten town’s new market space for its first Christmas season “like a Hallmark film,” hoping to attract extra prospects 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 mentioned she later acquired a textual content from Mayor Miko Pickett asking her to take away the Nativity scene, citing considerations about residents of different faiths and beliefs locally.
Byrd mentioned the mayor’s request shocked her.
“Our small city, we now have a church on each nook,” Byrd instructed 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 taking place right here.”
Byrd mentioned she acquired assist 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 a good time Christmas,” Byrd mentioned. “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 mentioned she requested solely that the Nativity scene be faraway from the general public parking space, arguing {that a} non secular image on public property violated the “separation of church and state.”
Byrd mentioned 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 maintaining Jesus Christ on the middle of the vacation.
“How are we supposed to clarify to our youngsters that we now have to cover our faith, disguise our beliefs, and conceal what Christmas is about?” Byrd mentioned. “Christmas just isn’t about Santa Claus. It’s in regards to the beginning of Jesus.”
Byrd mentioned she has acquired overwhelming assist from inside and outdoors the group.
“I by no means thought I’d need to do something like this,” she mentioned. “However on the finish of the day, we now have to face for what we imagine in and what’s proper.”
Pickett didn’t return Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
Within the 1984 US Supreme Courtroom case, Lynch v. Donnelly, the court docket dominated in a 5-4 resolution {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 instructed ABC15 Information he has not spoken with the mayor in regards to the concern however believes the Nativity scene ought to stay.
“Sure, I’d like for it to remain till the season’s over with,” Woodberry mentioned. “Children go right here, individuals come by way of to see it, so it’s OK. It shouldn’t be an issue for it staying up.”
Becket, a non secular 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 wash faith from public life, we should always all try to be like Kimberly Byrd,” Mark Rienzi, president of Becket, mentioned. “Her braveness to face up for the Nativity scene was admirable and patriotic. We’re joyful to lift a hearty toast to Kimberly and others like her who’ve stored the religion and introduced just a little extra pleasure to this vacation season.”
