Caroline Tucker
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON – (WMAL) The Archdiocese of Washington is taking Metro to court over a banned ad.
The Archdiocese submitted an advertisement for its annual “Find the Perfect Gift” initiative, which displayed those words and a picture of shepherds in the desert.
“What our message is helping our neighbor, finding joy in the season, and finding meaning in the season,” said Ed McFadden, secretary of communications for the Archdiocese of Washington.
In a statement, Metro said it rejected the ad because it has new rules.
“In 2015, WMATA changed its advertising policy to prohibit issue-oriented advertising, including political, religious and advocacy advertising. The ad in question was declined because it is prohibited by WMATA’s current advertising guidelines.”
However, McFadden says this is a violation of free speech.
“The campaign is built around widespread advertising of why we celebrate Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ. We feel that is part of our First Amendment right to share that kind of information. We are seeking an injunction asking that Metro run our advertising. And more broadly we are challenging their advertising guidelines so that in the future when we want to advertise we can,” said McFadden.
McFadden says the Archdiocese has run similar ads with Metro prior to the rule change.
To read the Archdiocese of Washington’s full release and court documents, click here.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Archdiocese of Washington)
