Wisconsin —
FFRF and the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin worked together to ensure that the Germantown, Wis., social media pages would not unconstitutionally promote Christianity.
A Germantown resident informed FFRF and the ACLU of Wisconsin that the Germantown Police Department (GPD) included a biblical quote and citation in a recruitment post for new officers on its official Facebook page. On Sept. 13, 2024, GPD posted that it was looking to hire up to six new officers, followed by a quote from Matthew 20:26 of the New International version, reading “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” followed by the biblical citation.
“As an institution entrusted with substantial authority, GPD must serve all residents equitably, regardless of religious belief or nonbelief,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi and ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation Staff Attorney Hayley I. Archer wrote to Chief Michael S. Snow.
After the joint letter was sent, FFRF was happy to hear from Snow. Snow emailed both organizations, writing, “the language has been removed from the post.”
