Tensions from La Vista Mayor Doug Kindig's alleged comments to an atheist after a Memorial Day Service created a political storm Monday.

Omaha atheists are angry at Kindig and the city's connection to a Christian memorial service.

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"We have a political figure, such as the mayor of the city, picking such marginalizing comments. We want to make sure that he knows it's wrong," said Jill Fitzgerald, atheist demonstrator.

-- Video: Religious groups protest at La Vista City Hall

Kindig allegedly told atheist Robert Fuller "minorities are not going to run my city," following the Faith and Freedom Day Memorial Day service at La Vista Daze.

"As soon as it got attention, I knew that my community would support me, and they have," Fuller said.

Members of the Harrison Street Baptist Church were also there to protest.


"We concluded that it was a constitutional event. It is really a private worship service, not a government-sponsored one," said Rev. Roger Criser, chief organizer of the La Vista Daze memorial service. "I don't see the mayor as a bigot. I don't think he was making any kind of racial comments or anything like that."

The two groups didn't engaged in conflict, in fact, both sides kept to themselves -- church members prayed while atheists made speeches.

"I hope we get some visibility for concerns of non-believers and religious minorities," said Tom Gray, atheist demonstrator.

According to La Vista police, the gathering was the first-ever protest at City Hall.

Fuller said he will talk to the mayor Tuesday.

"I wanted to talk to him about the church and state issues regarding the Memorial Day service, the prayer walk that opens La Vista daze," he said.

KETV NewsWatch 7 could not confirm Fuller's meeting with Kindig. Some sources in the city said it's been postponed.

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