Wauwatosa responds to backlash over Christmas decor memo sent to city employees

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The city of Wauwatosa is clarifying their stance on Christmas decorations after some backlash. 

An internal memo sent out last week asked employees to refrain from using red and green colors for decoration and anything religious around their offices. 

The group Liberty Counsel describes itself as a national litigation and public policy organization on first amendment religious liberties. 

In a letter to Wauwatosa's city administrator, the group demands the immediate retraction of the holiday suggestion. The group calls it an "unconstitutional ban" on Christmas symbols and decorations, an "anti-Christmas purge" and suggests that recent Supreme Court decisions back up that position.

Liberty Counsel's letter does not directly threaten legal action, but it says clauses in the first amendment protect public employees from being forced to violate or suppress their faith on the job. 

Now, the city is saying that wasn't meant to be a policy direction or a requirement -- they just want employees to consider all community members before deciding how to decorate public spaces during the holidays.