Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Obama

Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Standing
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 10-1973
Decision Date: 
April 14, 2011
Federal District: 
W. D. Wisc.
Holding: 
Vacated and remanded
Dist. Ct. erred in finding that Presidential proclamation authorized under 36 USC section 119 that designated first Thursday in May as national day of prayer violated Establishment Clause, where plaintiffs' organization and several of its members lacked standing to bring instant lawsuit. Section 119 imposes duties only on President and does not require any private person to do anything. Moreover, Ct. rejected plaintiffs' argument that their perception of exclusion arising out of said proclamation was tantamount to cognizable legal injury that was sufficient to confer standing.