ACLU wants $173K for prayer banner fees

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Attorneys for the Rhode Island ACLU have asked a court to award them $173,000 for their successful work on the Cranston prayer banner controversy.

A federal judge ruled earlier this month, that the prayer banner which has been on display at Cranston West School for over 50 years, was unconstitutional and must come down.

The money the civil union is asking for is related to attorney fees and costs involving the prayer banner fight .

• Text: Cranston West Prayer Banner
• Timeline: Cranston Prayer Banner Controversy

The funds are being sought from the City of Cranston and school committee.

“The Cranston School Committee was fully informed from the beginning that a decision to move forward with this case would likely result in the payment of attorney’s fees if they were not successful,” said Executive Director Steven Brown.

The ACLU was required to submit its bill within 20 days of the ruling, according to the Target 12 Investigators.

Mayor Allan Fung previously told Eyewitness News that he expects the school department to pay the bill.

The banner remains covered in the Cranston West school auditorium.

Public comment about the prayer banner will be allowed at an upcoming meeting scheduled for February 16 at 6 p.m. at the Western Hills Middle School.