After fighting nearly a year in court -- and with some neighbors -- a Chicago family won the right to place a religious phrase on a Chicago Park District brick, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo ruled the Chicago Park District violated the First Amendment rights of Robert and Mildred Tong when officials refused to allow the phrase "Jesus is the Cornerstone" on a brick the family bought for a park fund-raiser.
To the Tong family, the case was about the freedom to express their religion. Park District officials argued that the bricks were intended to raise money for parks, in this case, Senn Park at 5887 N. Ridge, and to recognize the donors on the bricks. If they allowed the Tongs' Jesus reference, they feared they would have to allow "any and all" religious references, said spokesman Julian Green. There have been no other requests like the Tongs', Green said.
The suit against the Park District also sought attorneys' fees and a $1 award -- "for the principle of it."
"I'm so happy the judge held up the law of the land," Mildred Tong said.
But she also said she and her husband, Robert, endured hate mail, anonymous notes saying the family was ruining the neighborhood and dirty looks from neighbors since filing the lawsuit last July.
"I think in some ways we were persecuted," Mildred Tong said. "I'm a mom of three kids and now I feel I have to watch my back when I go to the park."
Green said Park District officials are deciding whether to appeal. Until then, they will follow the order, but there's no scheduled time for inscribing the brick. Mildred Tong said the inscription will read: "Missy, EB & Lexi: Jesus is the Cornerstone. Love, Mom & Dad."