THOUSANDS ATTENDED MASS MARCH ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSES OF WORSHIP

As shown in the photos posted below, this Sunday's rally was a full house. Kudos to all the organizers and participants who are making sure their voices are heard.

Gregory
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Discriminatory policy will evict Houses of Worship from Public Schools on Feb. 12^th, 2012

WHO: NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera, City Religious Leaders, City Council Members, and Elected Officials

WHAT: Thousands attended mass march opposing Mayor Bloomberg's eviction of houses of worship from public schools
buildings

WHEN: Monday January 30, 2012

WHERE: New York, NY

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NEW YORK — Council Member Fernando Cabrera, elected officials and city religious leaders lead a mass march across the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday, Sunday, January 29^th, 2012. Marchers urged Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education (DOE) to reverse the discriminatory policy that will evict Houses of Worship from public schools on February 12^th.

The march began at Cadman Plaza, continued over the Brooklyn Bridge and ended in front of City Hall on Broadway. New York City Police Department Community Affairs personnel escorted the marchers throughout as marchers sang prayer songs and chanted motivational words.

“Communities turned out in mass to show their support,” said Council Member Cabrera “Black, White, Latino and Asian, young and old. Our momentum is growing.” He continued “Our constitution has an anti-establishment clause and we respect that, but it also has a free exercise clause. This policy restricts the right to free exercise by discriminating against religious groups. Our stance against this policy does not ask for special treatment, but for fair treatment.”

Marchers are also urged legislative action. The City Council should pass Resolution 1155 which calls upon the New York State legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation amending the New York State Education Law to afford houses of worship maximum access to school property. The State legislation includes NYS Assembly Bill A8800 and NYS Senate Bill S6087 that would amend NYS Education Law 414 to allow Houses of Worship to meet in schools regardless of the “worship” component of their activities.

Background:

After the Supreme Court declined to hear Bronx Household of Faith vs. New York City Department of Education on December 5^th, 2011, the New York City Department of Education announced it would ban Houses of Worship wishing to rent vacant spaces from Public Schools during non-school hours.

Following the announcement, Council Member Fernando Cabrera and Religious Leaders have organized several protests. These include a Prayerful Protest on Thursday January 5^th, where Council Member Fernando Cabrera, pastors and congregants were arrested for kneeling in front of the New York City Law Department in prayer during a display of civil disobedience, and a Prayer Rally during Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City address on Thursday January 12^th, where approximately 500 pastors and congregants gathered for prayer and song and over 40 were arrested while approaching the entrance of Morris High School in another display of civil disobedience. A press conference was also convened in front of the Tweed Court House on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, where 50 pastors, congregants and elected officials participated before marching to City Hall for the New York City Council Stated Meeting.

The January 29^th March on the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest planned demonstration to date.

Speakers: Elected Officials
Fernando Cabrera	New York City Council, 14th District	Bronx
Ruben Diaz Sr.	New York State Senate, 32nd District	Bronx
Marcos Crespo	New York State Assembly, 85th District	Bronx
Hakeem Jeffries	New York State Assembly, 57th District	Brooklyn
Ydanis Rodriguez	New York City Council, 10th District	Manhattan
Robert Jackson	New York City Council, 7th District	Manhattan
Jumaane Williams	New York City Council, 45th District	Brooklyn
Letitia James	New York City Council, 35th District	Brooklyn
Bill De Blasio	New York City Public Advocate	Citywide
John Liu	New York City Comptroller	Citywide

Speakers: Clergy
Pastor Bill Devlin - Co-Chair of Movement Steering Committee	Manhattan Bible Church	Manhattan
Pastor Rick del Rio (affected pastor)	Abounding Grace Ministries	Manhattan
Pastor Gabriel Salguero	National Latino Evangelical Coalition	Manhattan
Pastor Seungho Yang	Korean Council of Churches	Manhattan
Pastor Inhyun Ryu (affected pastor)	New Frontier Church	Manhattan
Minister Kirsten Foy	Office of the NYC Public Advocate	Manhattan
Pastor Dimas Salaberrios	Infinity New York Church	Bronx
Pastor Salvador Sabino (affected pastor)	Heavenly Vision	Bronx
Bishop Fernando Rodriguez	Latin/African American Chaplains Association	Bronx
Bishop Lillian Robinson –Wiltshire (affected pastor)	Cathedral of Christ Community Ministries	Brooklyn
Rev. Dr. Sheryl Anthony	Judah International Christian Center	Brooklyn

Councilman Fernando Cabrera has served the 14th Council District of the Bronx since January 2010 and as senior pastor for New Life Outreach International in the Bronx since 1988.