Amid Threats, Anonymity Given to Plaintiffs in PA Suit Against Ten Commandments


Saying they face “violence and ostracism,” a federal judge has agreed to let several plaintiffs stay anonymous in their lawsuit against a Western Pennsylvania school district that displays a giant Ten Commandments sculpture on junior high school grounds.

Judge Terrence McVerry ruled: “A number of the statements referenced in the filings of record extended beyond simple ad hominem rhetoric, although it certainly appears to include threats of violence and ostracism,” against plaintiffs seeking the removal of the sculpture from Connellsville Area Junior High School. Courthouse News Service said he based that decision on “submitted screenshots of emails their attorney received from community members, as well as screenshots from comments that members of the community have left on various Facebook pages and news articles.”

No word on when the suit will proceed.