Knights of Columbus Secure Permit for Memorial Day Mass After Reversal from National Park Service

The Biden administration granted a permit to the Knights of Columbus to hold their annual Memorial Day Mass in a national park cemetery following a legal challenge and public outcry.

The Biden administration has reversed course and granted a permit for the Knights of Columbus to hold its annual Memorial Day Mass in a national park cemetery. The decision came after the Catholic fraternal service organization sued the National Park Service (NPS) for denying the permit, arguing that it violated their First Amendment rights.

The Knights of Columbus had been holding the Memorial Day Mass at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia for over 60 years. However, the NPS denied their permit this year, claiming that religious services and vigils are classified as "demonstrations" and are prohibited in national cemeteries.

The Knights of Columbus argued that the NPS's policy was discriminatory and unconstitutional. They argued that they had been allowed to conduct a Mass or prayer service at the cemetery every Memorial Day for years up until a recent policy change.

The lawsuit filed in federal court last week was dropped after the NPS approved the permit. The reversal was celebrated by the Knights' attorneys.

"We are grateful to the NPS for allowing the Knights to hold their service this Memorial Day," John Moran, Partner at McGuireWoods, said in a press release.

The Biden administration's initial denial of the permit drew criticism from Republicans. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares filed an amicus brief in support of the Knights of Columbus, and Miyares praised the reversal.

"Within hours of my filing, the Biden Administration reversed course and will now allow the Knights of Columbus to gather at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery this Memorial Day. It's shameful that they were denied in the first place," Miyares wrote on Twitter.

The Knights of Columbus thanked Miyares and Youngkin for their assistance in the legal victory.

"The Knights are thrilled that they will be able to exercise their religious beliefs and keep this honorable tradition alive. We appreciate the tremendous support of Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares in this case," Senior Counsel Roger Byron announced in a press release.

The reversal of the NPS's decision is a victory for religious freedom. It sends a clear message that the government cannot discriminate against religious groups that seek to use public spaces for peaceful and respectful gatherings.