2/23/10 – AP: Alamo ministries appeals dismissal of lawsuit
WXVT
February 23, 2010
The Associated Press
Alamo ministries appeals dismissal of lawsuit
The Tony Alamo Christian Ministries is appealing the dismissal of its lawsuit over the removal of children from ministry compounds.
The lawsuit accuses the Arkansas Department of Human Services of harassing the church and violating the religious freedom of members. DHS has removed 36 children and ordered their parents to move off church property and find jobs outside the ministry.
A judge in Miller County has terminated the parental rights of some members after DHS said they had made no progress in meeting those requirements.
A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit – saying the arguments should be made during child-welfare hearings rather than in a federal lawsuit.
The ministry plans to appeal that ruling to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.