This is outrageous.
A small South Carolina town is facing national backlash after a local official attempted to remove a Nativity scene from a Christmas display—sparking outrage from residents who say the move attacks faith, tradition, and the true meaning of Christmas.
The controversy began just before Thanksgiving in Mullins, South Carolina, when volunteers with the Mullins Beautification Committee decorated the town’s new marketplace area for its very first Christmas season.
Committee chair Kimberly Byrd said the goal was simple: create a warm, welcoming holiday atmosphere to draw families and shoppers downtown—something she described as “straight out of a Hallmark movie.”
The decorations were paid for personally by volunteers and installed over nearly two weeks. They included Christmas lights, wreaths, a snowman, Santa Claus, and a small 3-by-4-foot Nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.
That Nativity scene soon became the center of controversy.
Mayor Orders Nativity Scene Removed
Byrd says she received a text message from Mayor Miko Pickett instructing her to remove the Nativity scene from the public parking area. According to Byrd, the mayor cited concerns about residents of different religious beliefs and referenced the separation of church and state.
The request stunned Byrd.
“This is a Bible Belt town,” Byrd told Fox News Digital. “We have churches on nearly every corner. I’ve lived here more than 50 years and never thought I’d see something like this happen.”
Rather than immediately complying, Byrd consulted with city council members. She says several encouraged her to stand her ground and keep the Nativity display in place.
“Christ is why we celebrate Christmas,” Byrd said. “I truly thought the mayor would reconsider or call a meeting. That never happened.”
Faith vs. Government Pressure
In a Facebook post dated November 26, Mayor Pickett stated she was not opposed to Christmas decorations in general, but argued that a religious symbol displayed on public property could violate constitutional principles.
Byrd strongly disagrees.
She says that if the Nativity scene is removed, all other decorations will come down as well.
“How do we explain to our children that we have to hide our faith?” Byrd asked. “Christmas is not about Santa Claus. It’s about the birth of Jesus.”
Her stance has resonated with many Americans who see the situation as part of a broader effort to push religious expression out of public life.
Supreme Court Precedent Supports Nativity Displays
Legal experts note that Supreme Court precedent appears to favor Byrd’s position.
In the landmark 1984 case Lynch v. Donnelly, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Nativity scene does not violate the Constitution when it is part of a broader holiday display that includes secular symbols.
The ruling remains a cornerstone of religious liberty law.
Mullins City Councilman Albert Woodberry also supports keeping the display.
“I’d like for it to stay until the season is over,” Woodberry said. “Kids pass by, families see it, and people enjoy it. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
National Recognition for Standing Up
As news of the dispute spread, Byrd received overwhelming support from both inside and outside South Carolina.
The religious freedom legal group Becket recognized Byrd this week by presenting her with its 2025 “Tiny Tim Toast” award, an honor given to individuals who stand up for public expressions of faith.
“In an age when government officials increasingly try to erase religion from the public square, Kimberly Byrd showed courage,” said Becket president Mark Rienzi. “Her actions were patriotic and inspiring.”
A Bigger Question for America
The mayor did not respond to media requests for comment.
For many Americans, the issue goes far beyond a single Nativity scene in a small town. Supporters say it raises a much larger question—whether traditional faith still has a place in America’s public spaces.
As Christmas approaches, residents of Mullins—and millions watching nationwide—are asking whether honoring the birth of Jesus has become controversial in a country founded on religious freedom.
