Article: Mormon church keeps control of downtown plaza in Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY -- A federal appellate court has upheld a deal between city and church leaders that gave the Mormon church control over a downtown plaza.

Judges on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said traditional public forums can be sold to private groups.

The deal does "nothing to advance religion, but merely enables the LDS church to advance itself," according to the decision, which was issued Monday.

The American Civil Liberties Union wanted the agreement overturned, arguing it was illegal to give the church police power in a public area.

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