SIEGEL SIEGEL & WRIGHT

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Spencer Bryant Siegel, Esq. Telephone: 561.620.8200
Thomas Hill Wright III, Esq. Facsimile: 561.620.8225
* Also Admitted In CA & HI
J uly 17, 2014
SENT VIA MAIL & EMAIL
andy@maurodislaw.com

Andrew Maurodis
710 E Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Re: Invocation Request
Dear Mr. Maurodis
It has been some time since we have spoken; I trust this letter finds you well.
As you are aware, the law office of Siegel Siegel and Wright represents Timothy Chaz
Stevens and his blog, www.myactsofsedition.com (MAOS). The purpose of this letter is to
reiterate our clients request to offer a brief invocation prior to an upcoming meeting for the City
of Deerfield Beach.
In the recent 2014 Supreme Court decision, Town of Greece v. Galloway, the high
Court emphasized that a governments prayer practice must be nondiscriminatory and make
reasonable efforts to include invocations from all members of the community, regardless of their
faith, not just those traditionally acceptable and frequently utilized. Even more important, the
open and non-discriminatory selection process was absolutely crucial.
"The town at no point excluded or denied an opportunity to a would-be
prayer giver. Its leaders maintained that a minister or layperson of any
persuasion, including an atheist, could give the invocation." Id. [Emphasis
added]
In this instance, there is no reasonable effort even required to seek out diversity - Mr.
Stevens is volunteering the service in good faith. On the other hand, excluding a particular faith,

perceived or actual, or group from consideration in the process is, without question,
unconstitutional. Pelphrey v. Cobb County, 547 F.3d 1263, 1276 (11th Cir. 2008).
In light of these decisions, it is clear that meetings of local government, where
invocations are allowed, should and must include those from religious minorities in order to
maintain fairness and equality; the tone of the invocation and/or the mechanism by which it is
offered is not nearly as important as the diversity it represents.
We are aware that Mr. Stevens reputation as rabble-rouser may cause certain individuals
grave concern that this request is nothing more than a political stunt. Arguably, many of the most
important events in the history of civil rights and equality can be couched as political stunts at
the time, only to be recognized for their true importance long after the fact. Similarly, Mr.
Stevens actions, often criticized from the hip, especially by those who claim to be innocent
political targets, are later proven to be a valuable service to the community; those who protest the
loudest, usually do so with unclean hands only to be silenced later by handcuffs.
One month before Martin Luther King was assassinated, he stated in his speech The
Drum Major Instinct:
"Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I
was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not
matter."
This very conservative premise is that individuals are each responsible not just for
themselves, but for each other, and echoes the importance of putting ego into the service of
others. Mr. Stevens methods are often viewed as crass, however, it is impossibly to deny that the
vast majority of his actions ultimately serve the public good. In this instance he seeks to ensure
that the principles of equality and fairness are respected in local government.
According to the Pew Research Center in 2012, one-fifth of the U.S. population and 33%
of all adults under the age of 30 identify themselves as none as in none of the above in
reference to mainstream religions. Mr. Stevens is admittedly in that demographic. The research
also clearly suggests that a large portion, if not a majority of those present at a local government
meeting, will not share the same political and/or religious view of an individual offering an
invocation. This request presents an opportunity for the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, to
demonstrate that it not only supports and celebrates diversity, but also refuses to discriminate on

the basis of religion or lack thereof. By allowing Mr. Stevens to speak, the City of Deerfield
Beach, Florida, will be providing both non-mainstream and non-religious constituents with not
only a voice but an opportunity; the opportunity to feel included in the brief ceremonial portion
of local business meetings should they choose to do so.
We respectfully request that you notify us at your earliest convenience in regards to the
next opportunity for our client to offer the invocation at an upcoming meeting.
Should you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at your
convenience.
Sincerely,

Thomas H. Wright III, Esq.
Cc:AndrewSeidelFreedomfromReligionFoundation
TimothyChazStevens