Late breaking news from the Georgia situation proves that this controversy will not be quietly fading into oblivion. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has picked up the story and it’s only a matter of time before other papers and media also latch onto it.
In a show of solidarity Mt. Rushmore Lodge #220 of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota has issued a public statement of support urging their Grand Lodge to do likewise.
Racial controversy spurs Atlanta affiliate to sue state Masons
By Péralte C. Paul
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, June 29, 2009“An Atlanta chapter of the Masons and its senior officer are suing the state body and two high-ranking members of other Georgia chapters, saying leaders are trying to disband them because they accepted a black man as a member.”
“Gate City Lodge No. 2 and its head, Michael J. Bjelajac, filed the complaint in DeKalb County Superior Court. It names the Grand Lodge of Georgia Free & Accepted Masons, the state level of an international fraternal organization; Douglas Hubert Ethridge of Atlanta; Starling A. “Sonny” Hicks of Stockbridge, and W. Franklin Aspinwall Jr. of Kingsland as defendants.”
“Aspinwall, a Georgia attorney, is named in the suit because he was appointed to chair the internal “trial” the group plans to have.”
“Bjelajac and Gate City claim when they accepted 26-year-old Victor Marshall into membership last fall, Hicks and Ethridge wrote letters to the state organization, saying allowing a nonwhite man into the group violated the association’s moral and Masonic laws.”
“Hicks and Ethridge are high-ranking in their respective chapters.”
Monday, June 29, 2009
Upholding the Masonic Ideals of Equality and Tolerance
“Mt. Rushmore Lodge No. 220 took the following action at their regularly stated communication on the 25th of June:”
“In light of the events occurring within the Grand Lodge of Georgia and their possible implications for the Universal Brotherhood, the members of Mt. Rushmore Lodge No. 220 present at the regularly stated communication on June 25th have decided to take action by unanimously passing a resolution to request the following of the Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in South Dakota:”
1)”That the Grand Lodge of South Dakota will issue a formal, public statement that it will not accept racial or religious intolerance, prejudice, or bigotry in any of its subordinate lodges.”
2)”That the statement will clearly state that the Grand Lodge of South Dakota believes in upholding the Masonic ideals of equality and tolerance”
3)”That the statement will be issued to all Masonic lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota and in the Grand Lodge of South Dakota’s publications including The Masonic Messenger and Grand Lodge website.”
“The Brethren of Mt. Rushmore Lodge No. 220 believe that these recommendations will help the Grand Lodge of South Dakota to become a leader in making Freemasonry a 21st Century fraternity.”