ANN ARBOR, MI — Thomas More Law Center Director of Communications, Brian Rooney, addressed a press conference attended by over 100 supporters on the steps of the New York City Hall on Sunday, June 24, 2007, as City Councilman Tony Avella introduced a City Council resolution that calls upon the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to amend its discriminatory holiday display policy for public elementary and secondary schools.
DOE’s current policy allows displays of the Jewish Menorah and Islamic Star and Crescent during their respective holidays, but bans displays of nativity scenes during Christmas. Council Member Avella stated, “The menorah and star and crescent are religious symbols. By adding a crèche to the holiday display, Christians will receive equal representation during the holiday season.”
Brian Rooney, representing the Thomas More Law Center at the conference, commented, “At best the City policy as applied today is ignorant—at worst—hateful and discriminatory. The state of New York and the Federal government both recognize Christmas as a legal holiday. The holiday is to mark the birth of a historic, religious—and to Christians—divine figure, Jesus Christ. This is best done through a crèche.”
Rooney was flanked by the Law Center’s long standing courageous client Andrea Skoros (with her two sons), Bill Donohue of the Catholic League and Council Member Avella. Rooney continued, “A bureaucrat in the city Department of Education should not be the final arbiter as to what symbol is best suited for display—especially when a clear hostility towards one particular religion is manifest.”
The original constitutional challenge was brought by the Thomas More Law Center, a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on behalf of Andrea Skoros and her two minor children, devout Roman Catholics, who attend the New York City’s schools. The lawsuit was filed only after William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, made several unsuccessful attempts to convince school officials to allow Nativity displays alongside the other religious symbols.
The resolution was introduced now in order for the DOE policy to be changed for this upcoming Christmas season. The Thomas More Law Center urges all of its supporters to contact Council Member Tony Avella’s office to offer support and find out further information on how to get this resolution adopted. Rooney observed, “The critical thing is to get this resolution placed before the council. If it gets before the council it will pass. We need as much pressure as possible brought to bear upon the leadership of the council so that they will bring the resolution up for a vote.”
The Thomas More Law Center will continue working closely with Council Member Avella, Bill Donohue and others to finally get this discriminatory policy changed. Council Member Avella’s numbers are 718-747-2137 or 917-723-3289.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.