Give 16 year old Jessica Ahlquist an “A” for “chutzpa” for being the successful lead plaintiff in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU against a Cranston Rhode Island school district that forced the district to cover up an eight foot high prayer in the school auditorium. The prayer had been there for 49 years and …
Tag Archive: religious freedom
Sep 10 2011
9-11 and the Law
Like all NYers,I was devastated by the 9-11 attacks. And like many Nyers I have mixed emotions about commemorating the ten year anniversary of the attack. Yes, its fitting that we remember and honor those who died that day but at the same time, the hair on the back of my neck stood up when …
Oct 05 2010
Testing the Limits of the First Amendment
The new Supreme Court term started yesterday and while the docket is once again heavily laden with corporate issues, one of the earliest cases to be argued will be the one involving the Westboro Baptist Church’s practice of protesting at military funerals. It is a case that is certain to add to the line of …
Sep 14 2010
Westchester NY Church Case A Cautionary Tale For Mosque Opponents
Two weeks ago, Federal Judge Stephen Robinson, handed down a decision in a case called Fortress Bible Church v. Feiner, that is like a crystal ball look into the future of any litigation against the proposed mosque two blocks from Ground Zero. In Upstate Greenburgh NY, a Baptist community wanted to move form its cramped …
Aug 08 2010
Upset About Mosque Near Ground Zero? Blame Tom Jefferson
They say you should never discuss religion and politics among friends and family but who cares what “they” say anyway? Today’s NY Post’s front page, which I saw yesterday in the deli, reads: “Mike’s Mosque Mania.” I’ll summarize the article so you won’t have to bother to read the Post: The author chastises NYC …