 "Photo: Nicholas Persac")
This weekend's gubernatorial election could mean the end of East Baton Rouge's long-standing blue laws.
And a group of Baton Rouge residents, A6, has made overturning the laws a top priority.
The blue laws - which stem from honoring Christian Sabbath - prohibit grocery and liquor stores from selling packaged liquor and wine on Sundays and do not allow packaged beer to be sold before 12:30 p.m.
After an attempt by East Baton Rouge's Metropolitan Council to amend the laws in May fell short by one vote, the fate of the laws now lie in the hands of the residents who will vote on Saturday.
If the laws are overturned, grocery stores and retail outlets will be allowed to sell liquor, beer and wine starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Restaurants and other venues that are already permitted to serve liquor and wine on Sundays will be unaffected by the possible change.
A6 hopes their fellow voters join will follow suit this weekend.
It all started when six members of the Baton Rouge Chamber realized Austin, Texas had surpassed Baton Rouge's progress even though both cities had been the same size 25 years earlier.
Haggai Davis II, a group leader, said the group is not an official organization with a president or bylaws, but "someone had to step up to the plate" to push for progress in Baton Rouge.
"It is time to get out of the past and move forward," said the 45-year-old University alumnus, adding that the 18th century laws are "outdated."
Davis said the shift in decision making about the blue laws is a step forward for the parish.
"If someone chooses to look at Sunday as a day that they don't want to buy alcohol, that's fine," Davis said. "The problem is when a local government tries to make laws enforcing a religious view."
But religion is not a major factor in A6's fight against the laws, Davis said. It's strictly an economic issue.
Davis said the law's inconsistency concerning what kind of alcohol people can buy is driving customers away from the parish.
"A whole bunch of tax dollars are left in other parishes because of this law," Davis said. "Let's quit being ridiculous. Let's just be consistent across the board."
But for Kitty Blanchard, secretary for St. Agnes Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, these laws have everything to do with religion.
Blanchard said the law's repeal would disrupt "the Lord's day," which is for worship and rest.
"People should not have to work on a day of rest and worship," Blanchard said. " We want the laws to stay."
Kayrie Spinney, accounting junior, said she does not drink and wants the laws to stay in tact for social purposes.
"I like the idea that there is one day in the week that there are not going to be people on the road after drinking," Spinney said. "Why do you need to drink on Sunday?"
Douglas Rodrigue, microbiology junior, said he thinks the laws are "quite unnecessary" especially in terms of their religious significance.
"This country was founded on religion. But in this day and time, I don't think religion should be something that regulates law," he said.
Esther Thomas, mathematics junior, said she thinks the laws are outdated.
"It's nothing but an inconvenience," Thomas said. "If it's just a religious decision, I think it should have been repealed long ago."
The Metro Council will have to make an ordinance to make the repeal legal if residents vote in favor of it.
Davis said he is optimistic the Metro Council will vote in favor of the people's choice.
---- Contact Garesia Randle at grandle@lsureveille.com
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