A civil rights group said Monday it will sue the Salvation Army because it allegedly has begun requiring employees to identify their church affiliation and support the army's mission to "preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
The New York chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the suit would be filed Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan.
Telephone messages left with Salvation Army representatives were not immediately returned Monday.
Court papers prepared by the NYCLU say the plaintiffs include a Salvation Army social worker administrator who says the charity on Sept. 16 rescinded a policy that had guaranteed equal employment without regard to religious affiliation.
The NYCLU says the Salvation Army is overlooking the separation of church and state while accepting millions in government aid.