Group protests prayer at city meetings

TAMPA - Traditionalists in Lakeland say they don't have a prayer. But members of the group Atheists of Florida are convinced they are going to win.

On Tuesday, Atheists of Florida announced that they are suing the City of Lakeland because the city starts its meetings with a prayer.

"The government should not be endorsing, sponsoring, or preferring one religion, a particular religion, or religion over a non-religion," said Eric Husby, an attorney for the group.

Instead of a prayer, they want the city to have a moment of silence.

"If they want to pray, they can pray in their car on the way to the meeting," Ellen Beth Wachs told FOX 13.

The announcement of the lawsuit was made under a new sign on South Combee Road that the Atheists just put up. It shows a flag with the words, "one nation." The word "indivisible" is subsituted for "under God."

During the press conference, a nearby business owner showed up.

"I pray for them, and wish they would find the love and the happiness that I found in Jesus Christ," said Bernita Goigowski.