Posted on 06/21/2006 3:02:23 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
TVC ASKS PATAKI TO STOP HARASSMENT
June 21, 2006 - Washington, DC – The Traditional Values Coalition asked New York Governor George Pataki to rein in a state agency which is threatening legal action against an Accord, New York skating rink because it plays Christian music during a “Christian Music Skate” party.
The New York Division of Human Rights threatened Len and Terry Bernardo, owners of the Skate Time 209 rink in Accord, with an investigation because the rink plays Christian music during certain hours. The agency also threatened to charge a local newspaper which advertised the event for “aiding and abetting” unlawful discrimination.
“This is crazy,” said TVC Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon. “These people are exercising basic Constitutional rights on private property to the exclusion of no one and the state government is treating them like dangerous criminals.
“Aiding and abetting? It is the responsibility of every citizen to aid and abet the free exercise of religion, free speech, the right to assemble and private property rights.
“New Yorkers have never been intimidated by international thugs and terrorists and they should not tolerate this bureaucratic attempt to violate their most basic civil rights.
“I have asked Governor Pataki to take authority over this illegal attempt to manipulate the law to accomplish a violation of basic civil rights. I will be watching closely to see that the Bernardos’ rights are protected.”
Transmitted by Fax
Governor George E. Pataki State Capitol Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Pataki:
I was shocked to learn that a business operated by supporters of our Coalition has been threatened with legal action by the State of New York Executive Department, Division of Human Rights for holding a “Christian Music Skate” party at a private roller rink they operate in Accord, New York.
Sir, I cannot believe that any reasonable person would feel that the mere act of playing Christian music during certain hours when the Skate Time 209 skating rink is open for business amounts to some form of discrimination.
The section of the New York State law cited by Division of Human Rights General Counsel Gina M. Lopez Summa deals with those who “refuse, withhold from or deny” access to someone.
The rink’s proprietors Len and Terry Bernardo assure me that no one has ever been denied entrance to their privately-owned skating rink nor have they discouraged anyone from patronizing their rink because of their religious beliefs.
The only difference between the Christian Music Skate Time and all other times at the rink is that the former involves the playing of Christian contemporary music. There are no special discounts for Christian skaters and no one is denied access to the rink if they are not Christian.
Governor, please take action immediately to halt this action against the Bernardo’s and to reassure all New Yorkers that their First Amendment right to the free exercise of their religious beliefs and other rights related to private property and the right to assemble are not in jeopardy.
New Yorkers have demonstrated such courage and tenacity in dealing with international threats to their freedom. There is a reason why the amendment which guaranteed religious liberty and freedom of expression was the First Amendment.
Please halt this harassment immediately.
Sincerely, Rev. Louis Sheldon Chairman (and Founder Traditional Values Coalition)
NY is insane.
Anti Christian hate coming from the left. What's new?
Gee, they must have really gotten their panties in a wad after Dwayne Wade thanked God on television last night for his MIAMI HEAT victory.
Time to pick sides.
"Time to pick sides."
Agreed. I suspect this will get pretty ugly over the course of the next 10-15 years. Stay sharp.
I can't reply to this the way I'd like to because of Free Republic's rule of not using foul language! What's next? Are they going to start investigating churchs' use of hate speech for mentioning Christ during services?
Wow! Accord, NY, is in a township that's being overrun by New York City liberals...they are like a cancer spreading over this rural area, driving out people whose families have been in the area for centuries. The last election, they got Democrats into power (absolutely unheard of!)...this is the front lines of the fight, folks.
Meanwhile, at mosques throughout New York, imams freely preach jihad against America, and the authorities yawn.
But when some Christians in public dare to mention God, all hell breaks loose.
Something is terribly out of whack here.
This cant be right. THere has to be more to this story.
I think they should invite Senator Jarrett T. Barrios down one day, and play the "offending" music while they serve Fluffernutter sandwiches.
They also have Footloose laws in NYC that prohibit dancing at a bar without a permit.
Meanwhile militant mosques are permitted to indoctrinate followers into global jihad.
There is (or was 15 years ago) a Chinese restaurant in Houston that would be in deep trouble in NY. Their background music was instrumental versions of "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Garden," "Just As I Am," etc. My friends and I laughed everytime we went there because the Chinese had no clue they were playing Christian music and nobody told them. I went there regularly over a period of 2 or 3 years and they were playing last time I was there.
Interesting. I guess by this reasoning every mosque that broadcasts its "call to prayer" chants or music five times a day would also be discriminating, no?
Perhaps the NY liberals are afraid they will burst into flames if they hear Christian music.
Also afraid of crosses, garlic, and holy water, I believe.
Didn't a pastor in one of the Scandinavian countries already go to court because he argued from his pulpit that homosexuality is a sin?
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
1:30pm - 4:30pm
ROLLER SKATING Skate Park
Christian Music
beginner to intermediate
Member $5.50 $7.00
Non-Member $6.50 $8.00
Roller Skate Rental is always $2.50 for everyone
The Hudson Valley's premier indoor Family Entertainment Center with 30,000 square feet of year round family fun!
From http://www.skatetime209.com/ SKATETIME WEBSITE
Shows Christian music advertised for Sunday only.
The roller rink, skate board park, and arcade opened in April 2006.
Liberals never cease to amaze me!!
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