Easter Celebrated with Prayer in the Public Square at Daley Plaza

Aimee Herd : Mar 29, 2013
Thomas More Society

"The freedom to practice prayer in the public square as private citizens is part of our unique American experience. We thank the city of Chicago and the Public Building Commission for their continued cooperation in renewing our permit this year." -Tom Brejcha TMS Staff

(Chicago, IL)?At midnight on Good Friday, March 29, 2013, Jesus will take over Daley Plaza, as a nine-day prayer vigil commences. The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based national public interest law firm, joins private donors to sponsor "Jesus in Daley Plaza." Sharing the plaza with Chicago's Picasso will be a 14-foot tall cross and a 10-foot tall image of the resurrected Jesus.

An Interdenominational Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, March 31, at 7 a.m. will feature the music of Greater Chicago Church. Daley Plaza is located at 50 West Washington, between Clark and Dearborn, in downtown Chicago.

When erected, Thursday evening, March 28 at 8 p.m., the huge cross is draped in purple linens. On Easter Sunday, as the resurrection of Christ is celebrated, the drapery will be changed to the traditional white to symbolize new life. At the same time, "The Divine Mercy" image of Christ will also be revealed. "The Divine Mercy Project: Prayer in the Public Square" runs 24 hours a day, with an ongoing vigil through Sunday, April 7.

"The freedom to practice prayer in the public square as private citizens is part of our unique American experience," stated Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. "We thank the city of Chicago and the Public Building Commission for their continued cooperation in renewing our permit this year."

Brejcha then remarked that the battle to end discrimination against religious speech by private citizens continues, although over twenty years ago, a federal injunction permanently banned that discrimination at Daley Plaza. The Thomas More Society has helped groups and individuals across the country defend their First Amendment right to express religious beliefs freely and openly in traditional public forums.

Participants in the Friday morning Easter Sunrise service include: Rev. Zaki L. Zaki, Chicago Northwestern District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church, Michael Keinapple of Courtside Ministries, the Greater Chicago Church worship team, Dr. Hiram and Dr. Joranda Crawford of Pro-Life Pro-Family Coalition, Michael Sullivan from Divine Mercy Project, and Thomas Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of The Thomas More Society.