Iowa Town Faces Scrutiny Over Church Parking Ban

The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the city of Leon, Iowa, over a parking ban that forbids anyone but churchgoers to park Sunday mornings on certain streets near churches.

The Associated Press reported that two homeowners asked for the ACLU’s involvement after they learned their cars were not allowed to remain parked on the streets in front of their houses, yet others were allowed to park there. After written letters to city officials did not bring about change, the ACLU filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Des Moines, Iowa. The organization claims the ordinance violates the separation of church and state, aside from being unfair to the residents.

“There is legal parking in front of our clients' home, but they can't park there – ever – because they don't go to the church across the street,” ACLU of Iowa Executive Director Ben Stone said in a statement.

City Clerk Angela Blades contends that the ordinance exists for the common good – to prevent traffic bottlenecks on narrow streets – not to endorse Christianity. She also pointed out that the church buildings are used for numerous community and secular activities during the week, not just for Sunday morning services.

A town of about 2,000 people, Leon has 16 churches. It is located about 75 miles south of Des Moines.