PETITION

We the citizens of Manti, Utah, Sanpete County, the State of Utah, and USA Citizens from all across our nation petition the ACLU of Utah to fight for our Constitutional rights of Free Speech, Freedom of Expression, and Freedom of Religion. These protected rights are in grave danger of being severely restricted in Manti, Utah.

Manti City has entered into negotiations with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to sell them a public street (100 E, north of 400 N, to the intersection of Hwy 89 -- the street west of the Manti Temple).

We have reasons to believe the ultimate purpose behind the sale of this public street is to discriminate against the Atheists, Buddhists, Agnostics, Christians, Polygamists, and open minded Mormons who have enjoyed friendly conversation prior to the Manti Pageant each year for the past 35 years.

We have already experienced the heavy hand of the LDS Church and the restrictions of our Constitutionally protected rights on Main Street Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City when the LDS Church made a similar purchase. “Main Street Plaza” is a vivid example of how a religious entity can manipulate a circumstance and then strip the public of their constitutional rights. Please don't allow this to happen to us again.