TOLEDO, Iowa — Community members in Toledo are frustrated after a complaint forced the city to take down the nativity scene that has stood outside of the fire department for years.
In a packed room on Monday night, residents came together to voice their concerns, saying they plan to fight this.
The complaint was filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The organization cited First Amendment rights and the importance of separation between church and state.
"When they see displays like that all by themselves on public property, that does send a message to people who aren't religious or who aren't Christian that they're not as welcomed in the community," Sammi Lawrence said, a legal fellow for the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
Lawrence also added that they addressed this situation because it is a standalone nativity scene on public property, prominently displayed in front of a city building.
Community members are not happy with the removal of the nativity scene and made it clear Monday night.
"We are free to do what we want to do, we are free to stand for our foundation, our body foundation," a community member said Monday night.
City council members also shared that they are equally as frustrated.
"You know I don't like people burning flags, I don't like people burning bibles and I don't like people telling us we can't have a nativity scene in our fire station," said city councilmember Joe Boll.
The nativity scene was first built by a community member and stood outside the fire department for years. Following the complaint, it has been moved down the road to private property.
"I'm just afraid that if we cave into this, that my nativity at my house will be next, or the church that I put up will be next," one community member said.
The city acknowledged the concerns and want to work to get it back, while remaining respectful and fair through it all.
"I believe in the separation of church and state; however, I also believe in the freedom of religion and from religion," a city council member said.
At the meeting on Monday night, the mayor said he wants to bring the nativity scene back to the fire department, but has to make sure their legal orders are in place and correct.
The discussion was tabled and will be continued with a final decision at their next meeting.