Ludlow Councilman Weighs in After Boy Scout Jury Decision

Darrell Clarke, councilman of the 5th District, was disappointed after a federal jury sided with the Boy Scouts in a controversy that has lasted nearly seven years, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The jury came to the decision after two days of deliberation that "Philadelphia violated the Boy Scouts' First Amendment rights by using the organization's anti-gay policy as a reason to evict them from their city-owned offices near Logan Square," according to the Inquirer.

Clarke introduced a bill to permit the eviction and terminate the lease by which the council was allowed the use of the building "in perpetuity," in 2007, according to City Paper. The bill was introduced because of the Boy Scouts' policy to not allow homosexuals to be members.

Clarke said in response to the decision that, "If in fact you have a policy that does not comply with the city's anti-discrimination policy, then you should not be allowed to be in a city-owned facility, period," on Wednesday, according to the Inquirer.

The end of the trial, however, does not mean the end of the debate. An ordinance does allow the city to evict the Boy Scouts' without giving any reason, and City Solicitor Shelley Smith said "We will be exploring our options."

Christina Paone
Elizabeth Harrington
Group 16, Ludlow