Democracy for NYC Position on Using Public Schools for Religious Services

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.

Domino's Pizza Boycott Launched - Join it!

City-wide Boycott of Domino's Pizza Launched

On Wednesday, November 16, Democracy for NYC joined the Sweatshop Free Campaign, Occupy Wall Street organizers, and the community in a rally launching New York City-wide boycott of Domino's Pizza. Some of the conditions Domino's Pizza employees report and which led to the boycott include:

• Work up to 102 hours a week at $4.40/hr often without full pay
• Risk their lives in hazardous weather & road conditions
• Receive insulting treatment, with no time to rest or eat
• Pay out of pocket for bicycles and uniforms

Since 2009, hundreds of workers have come together from various Domino's franchises to sue their bosses while organizing for better conditions. Franchise owner Dave Melton has responded by firing workers, cutting hours, and refusing to pay back the workers.

DFNYC which has long supported the fight against sweatshop conditions and unfair, illegal working condidtions in all work places, was represented by Sally Swisher, Bruce Markens, Susan Andrews, and Bernadette Evangelist. Photos below were taken by Bernadette at the rally and subsequent march to a local Domino's Pizza outlet.

Please join the boycott and call Domino's headquarters, 734-930-3030, to voice your support for the workers.

DFNYC Condemns Lowe's for Bowing to Anti-Muslim Florida Family Assoc.

Democracy For NYC strongly condemns the action of Lowe's Home Improvement, Inc., in pulling their advertising from the The Learning Channel's program "All American Muslim" due to the complaints of the "Florida Family Association" and their leader, David Caton, who called the program "propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda's clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values."

"All American Muslim" is a program that is educating the public on the lives of Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan, and is no better or worse than any other put on the air by The Learning Channel to educate the public on the many different lifestyles of Americans across the country.

Democracy For NYC urges all followers and friends to contact Lowe's Home Improvment, Inc.. at Lowes.com and its CEO, Robert A. Niblock, and let them know how much you disagree with their actions. You can also submit handwritten letters with the following address:

1000 Lowe's Boulevard
Mooresville, NC 28117