About Democracy for NYC
Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.
We work both locally and nationally to ensure that fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates are elected at all levels of government. We develop innovative ways to advocate for the issues that matter to our members and support legislation which has a positive effect in our communities. We promote transparency and ethical practices in government. We engage people in the political process and give them the tools to organize, communicate, mobilize, and enact change on the local, state, and national level.
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Democracy for NYC Position on Using Public Schools for Religious Services
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The board of directors of Democracy for NYC stands with the New York Civil Liberties Union in opposition to current legislation being considered in Albany that would allow public schools to be used as places of worship.
The bills being considered stipulate that the use of school buildings and school sites for religious meetings and worship shall be allowed when not in use for school purposes or when such service or worship is deemed not disruptive of normal school operations.
DFNYC strongly agrees with the recent Appeals Court decision which found that when worship services are performed in public schools and facilities, it constitutes an unreasonable violation of the separation of church and state and is a threat to our democracy. In addition, as the NYCLU points out, when these facilities are only available on Sundays, and the city provides discounted rental rates to those who worship on Sundays, the effect is to be discriminatory.
We encourage everyone who agrees to sign the petition at nyclu.org and to contact your representatives to express strong opposition to this legislation (known as State Assembly Bill A8800, sponsored by Assemblyman Nelson Castro and State Senate Bill 6087A, sponsored by Senator Martin Golden). We would also encourage contacting Governor Cuomo's office to urge a veto of this bill should it come to his desk.
Our public schools should not be used as places of worship.
Contact Information
| Email: | info -at- dfnyc.org |
A local coalition group of Democracy for America since 2004
Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.