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Marcus. -> Settlement secured for group barred from expressing faith in N.Y. park (7/5/2008 9:57:36 AM)
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ADF-allied attorney represented members of Jews for Jesus
Thursday, July 03, 2008, 12:33 PM (MST) |
ADF Media Relations | 480-444-0020
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has secured a settlement on behalf of members of a Christian group barred from expressing their faith in a public park. The free speech rights of Jews for Jesus members were violated when Oyster Bay officials placed numerous restrictions on their activities, including a threat to remove them from the area if any patrons were “offended” by their message.
“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF-allied attorney Rick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute. “The government has no right to harass and threaten citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights in public. We are pleased that Oyster Bay officials have agreed to respect the constitutional rights of members of Jews for Jesus, who can now express their faith publicly and without fear of arrest.”
On July 25, 2006, Jews for Jesus members attempted to enter John J. Burns Park with the intent of distributing literature and speaking to individuals about their faith. Upon arrival, they were met by the Commissioner of Public Safety for the town of Oyster Bay, who stated that the town supervisor had given him orders to call the police to issue an arrest summons if group members handed out even one piece of literature.
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