CFFS Denounces NY Mayor DeBlasio's Threat To Religious Freedom

MESA, Ariz., April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to a blatantly unconstitutional threat to permanently shutter churches and synagogues for daring to host services in a time of desperation for their congregations, Citizens for Free Speech (CFFS) is demanding an immediate retraction from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"I want to say to all those who are preparing for the potential of religious services," de Blasio warned in a Friday briefing, "if you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after being told so often not to, our enforcement agents will…shut down those services."

As if the threat to disrupt and disband a Constitutionally protected religious service wasn't enough, the overreaching city executive added that non-compliance could also bring additional action, including possible fines and "potentially closing the buildings permanently."

Patrick Wood, Executive Director of CFFS, said de Blasio's threat to close down houses of worship is a direct assault on the Bill of Rights.

"With federal, state and local governments already robbing citizens of their First Amendment rights to peaceable free assembly and the practicing of religion," Wood declared, "Mayor de Blasio has crossed the line with his menacing message of forced compliance with unconstitutional mandates. Closing synagogues and churches long after the national panic over the COVID-19 virus has subsided would serve no legitimate purpose other than governmental retribution for defiance of his will."

Wood also took note of the mayor's omission of Islamic mosques from his direct orders and intimidation tactics.

"One has to wonder why de Blasio, in a diverse and multicultural city like New York, would deliberate target Christian churches and Jewish synagogues in his briefing, effectively giving practitioners of the Muslim faith an open invitation to continue gathering for prayer services," Wood stated.

CFFS is calling on faith leaders of all denominations, as well as secular leaders interested in the preservation of the Bill of Rights for all, to join their call for a full retraction and apology from the overreaching mayor of New York. Citizens of faith in New York City and across America should never have their religious liberty threatened by an overly aggressive executive who eschews the U.S. Constitution.

For more information about CFFS please visit www.CitizensForFreeSpeech.org.

Contact:
Bob Frantz
National Director of Communications
440.309.3008

Patrick Wood
Executive Director
[email protected]

SOURCE Citizens for Free Speech