Results 1 to 2 of 2
Thread Information
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
-
10-20-2010, 04:24 AM #1
- Join Date
- May 2007
- Location
- South West Florida (Behind friendly lines but still in Occupied Territory)
- Posts
- 117,696
D.O.J. says opposing Tennessee mosque could be a crime
Justice Department says opposing Tennessee mosque could be a crime
The Obama administration warns local officials that opposing the building of an Islamic center could violate the civil rights of its members. The construction site has already suffered arson damage.
Richard A. Serrano
Los Angeles Times
October 19, 2010
Reporting from Washington —
For the second time in two months, the Obama administration has interjected itself into a dispute over a proposed Islamic center, warning local officials that opposing the mosque could violate the civil rights of its members and become a federal crime.
The Justice Department filed court papers Monday in support of construction of a Murfreesboro, Tenn., mosque, saying local Muslims were protected by the 1st Amendment right to free exercise of religion and disputing opponents' claims that Islam is not a valid religion.
In August, President Obama drew fire from conservatives and many New Yorkers when he said people had the right to build a mosque on private property. The statement so inflamed his detractors that the next day the president emphasized he was not necessarily endorsing the proposed Islamic center two blocks from the former World Trade Center in New York.
In the Tennessee matter, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro is attempting to build new facilities outside of town to accommodate its growing congregation. It purchased 15 acres for a 10,000-square-foot center, with a worship house, school, gym and pool. The surrounding area would include a pavilion and cemetery.
Opponents filed suit last month. They charged that county officials did not properly notify the community about the proposal, and argued that Islam is not a valid religion but instead a political cause to force the U.S. to adopt Muslim laws.
In August, construction equipment at the site was set on fire, and signs have been put up in the area saying, "Not welcome."
But in court filings, the government said: "Every court has treated Islam as a religion for purposes of the 1st Amendment and other federal laws. No court has held otherwise."
Islam, it said, "falls plainly within the understanding of a religion for constitutional and other federal legal purposes."
Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights, said local officials had an obligation to treat a mosque the same as a church or synagogue. "This is not only common sense," he said. "It is required by federal law."
Perez and Jerry E. Martin, the top federal prosecutor in central Tennessee, noted that their decision to intervene comes on the 10th anniversary of a federal law that bars local officials from using zoning or land-use laws to discriminate against religious groups.
Since 2000, they said, the Justice Department has opened 51 such investigations, filed seven lawsuits and joined in 40 privately filed suits.
richard.serrano@latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 6547.storyJoin our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)
-
10-20-2010, 12:46 PM #2
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Location
- TEXAS - The Lone Star State
- Posts
- 16,941
damn thomas perez is in the news again.
the same moron who is quoted as saying stuff about the black panther case, and az 1070.
Thank you! We are ready to roll.
05-01-2024, 02:07 PM in illegal immigration Announcements