Mock Supreme Court

Thursday, December 13th

In April 2003, Ricardo Jimenez, a member of the Santeria religion, was barred by the city of Beaufongier, Louisiana, from practicing certain elements of his faith. As the initiation rite to introduce new members, those that believe in the Santeria faith sacrifice a chicken, using the energy in its blood to communicate with the spirits, known as orishas.

City officials, citing a city code that forbids the slaughter of animals, successfully blocked Jimenez, a Santeria priest, from continuing to use animals in any kind of religious practice. The local law, according to representatives of the city, is intended to promote “the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the city,” “to protect property values” and “to enhance the quality of life of persons, pets and other animals.”

Mr. Jimenez claims that animal sacrifice is as essential to his religion as the Eucharist is to Catholicism. “This is not drinking blood, and we don’t sacrifice children,” Mr. Jimenez said. “It is an African religion that has its own central dogma, its own bible. It is a pre-Christian religion. It has its own ceremonies. It has its own rituals.” The sacrifice is done humanely with a single puncturing of the carotid artery with a 4-inch knife. The offerings are an essential part of the religion, considered so sacred that Santeria would cease to exist without them.

Mr. Jimenez’s neighbors have longed complained about the activities that take place in the Jimenez home. “All night chanting and foul orders,” says Lenore Swanson, “have become a regular feature on the street. I fear for the value of our homes.”

The city’s action, according to Jimenez, violates his right and freedom to practice a religion.

PLAINTIFF: Ricardo Jimenez

DEFENDANT: City of Beaufongier, Loiusiana