In most Slavic languages, the name for Easter means "Great Day" and celebrates the resurrection of Christ after his crucification.
On Good Friday the authors of this blog received word that the Virginia Supreme Court rejected developer Roger Woody's appeal.
He had filed a lawsuit in May, demurrers were heard in July and the Montgomery County Circuit Court had upheld the demurrers in October. The appeal was filed in January. A writ panel was held via telephone on April Fool's Day. Apparently that court didn't need much time to again determine a lack of merit for the claims being made.
Four defendents were initially named, with two subsequently removed as there wasn't a whit of proof they had ever had anything to do with this blog. Anyone who knows them personally is aware they are capable individuals and able to express their own opinions without our help or collaboration. Yet they were unjustly persecuted in this David & Goliath tale, suffering public humiliation, financial and physical harm.
Some of the legal defense was provided by the American Civil Liberties Union because the genesis of this lawsuit was due to public involvement around matters governed by the Town of Christiansburg, and was directly linked to exercising free speech. The ACLU press release can be read here.
Now, this is just another opinion, but it appears this was an attempt to publicly crucify, silence and financially harm all four defendents. There were other related machinations over the past year you didn't read about, with no good being done for the reputations of anyone involved, directly or indirectly. A report on these proceedings can also be found at the Citizens Media Law Project. In this season of renewal and rebirth, we can all now celebrate.
Rejoice that the Good News is spreading: Citizens can still express their own personal beliefs, enjoy free association of their chosing, and may engage in democratic processes. As with the early Christians, do not expect the path to become easier. Persecution is still possible, even if it reverts to a less overt manner than being thrown to the lions. If attacking free speech and shutting down public participation in open government were allowed, one might then assume regulating how you worship could be next.