Atheists Attack CT City Clerk‘s Statement That Prayer in Schools Would Make Crime ’Go Away’
- Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:40am by
Billy Hallowell
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Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation
Now that the drama surrounding nativity scenes on public grounds has begun to simmer, atheists are setting their sights on other purported violations of church and state.
In New Haven, Connecticut, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is showcasing its disdain for a recent address from City Clerk Ron Smith that called for prayer to be put back into schools as a way to fight crime.
During Smith’s inaugural address, he explained the importance, in his view, of prayer to sustaining society’s moral framework.
“You want crime to go away?,” he asked. “Put prayer back in schools.”
This statement, made by a public official, has created angst among FFRF leaders. The group sent a letter to Mayor John DeStefano Jr. voicing its frustration with Smith’s statements. The letter condemns his words as offensive, “ignorant” and “unconstitutional if put into practice.”
FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, who wrote the letter, went on to claim that Smith was likening non-believers to criminals — something she obviously took issue with. To counter this idea, she provided information in her letter that allegedly proves that secular nations have lower murder rates than religious ones.
Read her letter, below:
“The purpose of schools is to educate, not to promote religion,” Gaylor continued.
Despite the FFRF’s vocal opposition, Smith is standing by his statements on prayer in schools. He believes that prayer in the education system would help prevent crime on the streets. He also acknowledged that each student should be free to say his or her own type of prayer based on his or her beliefs.
“We have to let God in, instead of keeping him out,” he said. When we put prayer back in school I believe you will see a change. I’m not stomping on anyone’s religion.”
DeStefano released a statement reassuring the FFRF and citizens that prayer will not be placed within public schools. That being said, he went on to state his belief that the religious community could play a positive role in supporting students outside of the school setting.
Gaylor, of course, was overjoyed with the mayor’s announcement. “I’m just goin’ to say ‘amen’ to that,” she said.
(H/T: NBC Connecticut)
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Comments (106)
obfuscatenot
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:57pmI cannot begin to tell you how much I miss: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Small minds expect you to be small too.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:51pmWould it be small of me to point out that she’s a conehead?
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:51pmAnnie claims that Mr. Smith is offending large groups of young people and their parents. Well Annie, if you look around you will probably find that groups of people of all types can be offended by just about anything these days. I really believe that she uses the term “large groups” rather arrogantly only to justify to herself that since SHE is the one that is offended, then everybody else must be too.
If she is sooo concerned about groups of people being offended by prayer in schools then surely she must realize that she herself is being offensive to a large group of people who want prayer put back in school…or does she? You see? It doesn’t matter what you do, someone is going to be offended so either way.
The solutions to the problem is….wait for it….all sides need to stop trying to cram their own beliefs down peoples throats. I‘m a Christian but I don’t go around beating people over the head with a Bible or publicly stirring the pot because somebody doesn’t believe the way I do. Sharing your beliefs with someone who is interested in them is fine…if they aren’t, then don’t pester them.
Planting the seed is much easier than trying to plant the whole tree.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:22pmNow I admit I such at math, but I thought I was okay in English. Apparently, I have a poor grasp of English also. I mean I thought “large” was, well you know, large.
Using the inverse of her numbers 84% of the Connecticut residents must have identified themselves as “religious” and three out of four under age 30 identified themselves as “religious”. Seems to me that a majority of the citizens of Connecticut should be offended by FFR interference.
Like I said I suck at math simple or complex and don’t understand what “large” means.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:43pmDismayed
Connecticut is a sad place. The DEMOCRATS here are made up of,, 1. My Daddy was a Dem,, I’m a DEM, 2. Wealthy elite that have their money hidden ( Mostly Fairfied County) 3. A very large TAKER CLASS that has found ways to scam the States Taxpayers, and the Fed Taxpayers (Almost ALL in the Cities). 4. Feel good brain dead moderates that seldom vote R Most of the real Conservatives have fled or are getting ready to. ( my wife and I soon)
Report Post »13TH
Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:29pmThe thing is, after you have people of the caliber of this guy merely expressing the desire to put prayer in public school, you then have people like this who actually attempt to DO it.
http://blogs.indystar.com/schoolmatters/2012/01/12/say-a-prayer-for-indiana/
http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0251
“In order that each student recognize the importance of spiritual development in establishing character and becoming a good citizen, the governing body of a school corporation or the equivalent authority of a charter school may require the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of each school day.”
The very definition of establishing government directed religious practice. SB251 deserves to, and since the majority of the Indiana government right now is not insane, WILL leave skid marks on the bowl.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:20pmThe problem is that the majority does not have the courage to stand up against the minority. I’m so tired of one person changing things for everyone else. That includes Obama and the 20% of people that call themselves liberal/progressive.
Report Post »kevinklaw
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:01pmTo Dismayed Veteran & NHWinter: Your argument rests on the idea that only atheist are opposed to prayer in school. This simply isn’t the case. In fact, many of the early church & state cases were actually brought to the courts by people of Jewish descent. Further, there are a number of Christians who prefer church and state be separate. They, as do other church state separatist who are religious, understand that it is a principle which protects them as well. Just because one group is in the majority today, does not mean that group will be in the majority tomorrow.
Report Post »TheJeffersonian
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 3:13pm@Kevinklaw
A rational statement on the Blaze? Hell must have finally frozen over.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:47pmThe problem is not taking prayer out of schools, it’s been taken out of homes.
Report Post »proud2bmom
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:12pmThe true root of the problem. If the church over the past century had been better about building true faith and strong relationships between the congregants and God, we’d have stronger families, a stronger moral fiber in our country and no one would be trying to legislate one way or another. Prayer would be seen as private communication with God rather than a political statement and would be acceptable anywhere. It‘s got to start in the churches and homes and be done God’s way not through legislation.
Report Post »gwssacredcause
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:47pmI have just been trying to use some logic on Ms. Gaylor’s attitude about God in our public schools, it sounds to me she is against laws that say, you will not steal, you will not lie, you will honor your father and mother, you will treat others as you want them to treat you, an so on, the basis for the laws of equal treatment in this nation, so what the alternative that is so much better?
Report Post »tmbell87
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 7:30pmJust because she doesn’t believe in god does not mean she thinks murder and theft are ok. You’re making a bit of a stretch. What she took offense to was the notion that you are a criminal if you are non-religious.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 9:55pmYes TM, it is well known that most criminals are overwhelmingly religious people, NOT. It probably would not move me to respond if this “lady” wasn’t such a conehead (her picture gives her away, even though she tries to hid it with a wig).
Report Post »kevinklaw
Posted on January 18, 2012 at 2:38pmGW… as TM pointed out, you reiterated the same notion which offended Ms. Gaylor in the first place: that atheist are criminals, or at least immoral. Your logic is fallacious on several fronts. Simply because a person does not believe we should have prayer (or God) in school, it does not follow that the person believes in cheating, stealing, murdering, etc… Your statement also ignores the fact that some Christians agree with keeping religion out of schools.
Report Post »As for Sparky’s point, very few incarcerated people self-identify as atheist. You may claim that many or all self proclaimed Christians in prison are not actually Christians because they did not adhere to Christian principles, but if you applied that reasoning to the population of people claiming to be Christians and who are not incarcerated, then you would probably find yourself with a small minority of actual Christians. My understanding is that accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only absolute requirement. Not adhering to all the principles does not make you a non-Christian, just possibly a bad one.
13th Imam
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:47pmThe 156th reelection of the Communist, Socialist , Liberal, Anarchist, Progressive, Amnestyist, DEMOCRAT John Destephano has just taken place. He and the DEMOCRAT Party have made Nueva Haven an Amnesty City. The shooting rate is amongst the highest in the country, and if Yale wasn’t here it would have Detroited long ago.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:44pmReturning prayer to schools would be very beneficial to American society, if, for no other reason, than to make atheists’ ugly, liberal, anti-American heads explode.
Report Post »yankfreely
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:49pmTheocracies always work out so well! just study the dark ages or the middle east.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:07pmYankfreely – Why don’t you go move to North Korea since you have such a problem with freedom of religion.
Report Post »acovenantinblood
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:36pmAtheism has historically created so many great things. Like the French Revolution. And Karl Marx. And Soviet Russia. China. Such an idea as great as Atheism must be worth looking into!
Report Post »JohnGalt
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:39pmI realize your being sarcastic, but trust me their people out their who think everything you said are great ideas.
Report Post »db321
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:49pmMadelyn Murry O’Hare got prayer taken out of our Schools – less than 13% of American’s were Atheist at the time.
In the 60′s when we had prayer in our schools the three biggest problems were Running in the hallways, talking out of turn and Chewing Gum.
Today our 3 biggest problems in our schools are Rape, Murder and drugs. Teachers deserve combat pay!
This is what the Atheist want – prayer does not offends them – Goodness does.
Report Post »Nick84
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:50pmdb321-
Today our 3 biggest problems in our schools are Rape, Murder and drugs. Teachers deserve combat pay!
This is what the Atheist want – prayer does not offends them – Goodness does.
_________________________
So are you saying that this is due to prayer being taken out of school? The majority of this nation identifies itself as Christian. Do you think that kids suddenly become little atheist monsters when they go to school? Or is it more likely that people are capable of doing those things no matter what their beliefs are, and prayer in public schools wouldn’t really make anything better?
Report Post »JRook
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 4:18pmOk you are aware that the French revolution was the precursor to the American Revolution. And the French Republic was the framework for our government.
Report Post »Collbuzz
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:27pmFFRF cannot tell the rest of us what to do. They should just SHUT UP.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:34pmIt’s funny how only non-Christians have the right to free speech…
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:44pmFirst thing you have to do is find out if they are full fleged Atheists. If thye are an Atheist the names of their kids will be boy- Judas – girl – Jesibelle.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:56pmWhat we need is the freedom from the freedom from religious foundation.or FFFFRF as they have no rights to dictate school policy neither does any Federal court.
Report Post »yankfreely
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:52pmTurkey13, Are you mentally ill?
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:27pm“The purpose of schools is to educate, not to promote religion,” Gaylor continued.
Report Post »*************************************************************
….or Socialism or Liberalism… let’s not forget to include those as well Annie.
libertarian_atheist
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:26pmI despise these anti-liberty atheist groups, but the hard work of one does more than the prayers of millions as the saying goes.
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:15pmThis will make FFRF’s hair stand up straight. Let’s go back to what the founders wanted in the education system. To a man they insisted that religion be taught in schools along with math and reading and the US political system. This was so people would understand how it works, know what the government was responsible for and how to hold it accountable.
Religion was necessary so people would understand that God will eventually hold us accountable and we needed to understand how to treat each other and care for those in need. It also made people realize their role was first, a dedication to family because the family was the most important part of society.
I know how terrible this all sounds to people like the FFRF but guess what? It worked until the progressives started gaining control and changing our system to what the elitists believe is a socialist utopia.
There are no Democratic or Republican parties anymore, there are only progressives and constitutional conservatives.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:35pmIn the old days we said a prayer before school started. We had no shhotings like Virginia Tech – Coloumbine, etc. We have now had 3 generations that have not been exposed to religian or God. They think Tebow is a novelty. Most schools won’t even say the Pleage – and pretty soon all American flags will have to be trashed. Kruschev was rightwhen he said we would destroy ourselves from with -in.
Report Post »MrOVW
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:14pmanother fool Blindly Quoting “the Founding Fathers” you might want to go back actually look at what some of them said before revealing yourself as an uniformed fool. Start with Jefferson, Franklin, and Payne. I also recommend some type of operant conditioning method to reinforce the lessons you learn before spouting off blindly, something electrical shock or a swift shot with a ball peen hammer to the finger nail.
Report Post »MrOVW
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:27pmalso just a quick side note.
There is no such thing as God, Satan, Santa, The Easter Bunny, or The Tooth Fairy. You’ve been brainwashed and conditioned since they put a baptism dress on you and slapped some water on your soft foreheads.
The I love “Jesus not Religion” video is just a speed bump on the way to more and more people awakening from years of being horse collared by the guilt and shame that clergy and parents put into their heads. if you are over 40 and reading this, your time is over, you’ve failed the world. When you die you get eaten by worms, there is no invisible disney world that you will go to to ride Rollercoasters with your dead grandparents, cavemen, the squirrel you killed on the way to work, and T-Rex. This is Truth. swallow it.
Report Post »boundforglory
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:48pm@MROVW,
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1st Corinthians 1:18. It is also written: A fool says in his heart; there is no God. Psalms 14:1, 53:1.
rush_is_right
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:51pm“There is no such thing as God, Satan,”
oh yeah I’ll believe some wacko on the internet over the bible which has been proven over and over and over again to be correct….right
“world. When you die you get eaten by worms, there is no invisible disney world that you will go to to ride ”
well we‘ll see who has the last laugh won’t we now?
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:55pmStalin said America would destroy itself. He said that America could be beaten by Communism ina war but little by little(PROGRESSIVE) American would accept communist legislation until one day they will wake up and realize they’re are now living under communist rule. Well we‘re waking up the TEA PARTY SHOWED US THAT and the Communist aren’t hiding they are out in full force attacking us on every labor,in our schools,in our military,and in our government…..They are a fast spreading cancer now.
Report Post »WAKE UP AMERICA
smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 2:55pmStalin said America would destroy itself. He said that America could be beaten by Communism ina war but little by little(PROGRESSIVE) American would accept communist legislation until one day they will wake up and realize they’re are now living under communist rule. Well we‘re waking up the TEA PARTY SHOWED US THAT and the Communist aren’t hiding they are out in full force attacking us on every labor,in our schools,in our military,and in our government…..They are a fast spreading cancer now.
Report Post »WAKE UP AMERICA
MrOVW
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:30pm@BOUNDFORGLORY
mathew 7:23
see it works both ways.
Report Post »boundforglory
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:57pm@MROVW
Report Post »Dont know why you would say such a thing using Matthew 7:23. Your arguement using that verse doesnt help you one bit. That is for those that claim to know Christ, but dont because they havent accepted Him into their lives. You need to confess your sins before God and accept Christ into your life, then you will be saved. I KNOW GOD is real, and so is CHRIST and there is nothing that any man can say to change my mind on that! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. John 3:16. Atheists think that we christians have closed minds and refuse reality, the reality is that God created everything and that those who refuse to believe are the ones with closed minds.
Sparky101
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 10:19pmMROVW, heaven is for those humble enough to seek him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, something you are proud not to have done. So, why be so angry with believers?
Report Post »MELISSA_ANN
Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:51pm@ Rush the Bible has been proven over and over and over again? That’s a good one.
Report Post »kevinklaw
Posted on January 21, 2012 at 1:33pm@Al J Zira. As suggested by MROVW, perhaps you should review your history a little. Yes, there was some religion and prayer in schools, but not because that was the wish of all the founders. Rather, schooling was a local matter and far removed from the federal government. Many of the founders were Deist and did not believe in the mystical aspects of Christianity (i.e virgin birth, jesus as the son of god, eternal life, etc…). As MROVW suggested, Payne and Jefferson would be great primers for you. Many of the founders believed both that religion was a threat to government as well as government a threat to religion. The explosion of religion in school actually came about in the 1950s as a response to communism.
Report Post »As for the politics being separated only into constitutionalist conservatives and progressives, far from it. It’s nice to view things as such (black and white) because it makes it easier to separate the world into good and evil. Unfortunately (actually fortunately) the world is grey. There are constitutionalist conservatives, plain ole’ conservatives, moderates, liberals, anarchist, communist, socialist, ad infinitum. Not to mention that the definitions to all these terms have changed over time.
momrules
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:11pmI remember prayer in school as I was growing up. We were allowed to pray everywhere without threat of lawsuit back then and we WERE a better nation.
Look at the filth that this country is wallowing in now because God and prayer has been regulated.
As a Christian I know I fail our Lord every single day because of my human nature but I really would not want to be in Annie L. Gaylor’s shoes when she faces Jesus in judgement.
Report Post »boundforglory
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:46pmThey are also against the ten commandments, they think it does harm. It does more harm without them. The ten commandments are Gods laws for us to live by, and in doing so, there would be a lot less crime on our streets.
Report Post »conservativewoman
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:10pmPrayer changes things and that is what they are afraid of.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:09pmSigh – people are so messed up – really gets discouraging and despairing. As a devout Christian, with all due respect to others, I think the prayer deal (among other issues) is not being treated in a beneficial way. It’s not even common sense. One can pray anytime, anywhere….all it is is “talking” to “whoever” you worship. The core problem is – the attitude towards God/Christianity and how people are trying to rebel against any little “sign” of it. You can’t “ban” prayer since you can do it SILENTLY with no one knowing.
I would think anyone would know that if you nurture & promote morals, ethics, unselfishness, etc. (basic principles of Christianity) that it’s beneficial and yes, necessary in order to maintain a “free” country like ours – and the Founders said just that and that’s why the Bible was taught everywhere – in schools, public places, etc. The trouble came when too many rebelled against this & let the nonbelievers take over our “mindset”. So the answer is not to do what Smith has done, even though well meaning – it’s to do the harder work — promoting biblical principles in other ways in the community, families – starting with your own. …get back to the Bible/God/Jesus…maybe with websites dedicated to that or other outreaches, meetings in your home – whatever… also help electing politicians who espouse/live these values and voting against “bad” bills. STOP being apatheitic !!
Report Post »LindaTea
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:08pmI can think of a few other countries that are FREE FROM RELIGION, they can move to, they would be in (their) HEAVEN!!!
Report Post »KingCanon
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:06pmHE>u
Report Post »democritusoilder267
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:05pmI can respect anyone to believe in what they want in their life and what not. But I feel atheist just see everything as a threat. Even though I can agree prayer would not make crime go away; churches can influence the communities for better alternatives.
Report Post »Delta D-5-3
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:14pmCan someone explain to me how a HANDFUL of atheists can fundamentally change our great nation???? In MY eyes, atheists = devil. Evil HAS risen people, and it’s now a fight for the very core of our great nation…………………..
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:03pmForcing children to pray will not reverse societal decay and decline.
The problem is much deeper.
Greece and Rome did not collapse because they took prayer out of schools.
Report Post »Collbuzz
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:24pmGood point, BUT when prayer was ALLOWED, our Nation wasn’t wallowing in filth and degenerates. Look it up.
Report Post »normalmom
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:27pmThings in our nation have dramatically changed, and sadly not for the good.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:02pmWell if people posted and followed the 10 commandments .. that would pretty much take care of most crime. But this guy wasn’t saying that now was he … but what ARE athiests SO afraid of? That people will act morally?
Report Post »Delta D-5-3
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:18pmYep!! And the friggin courts are behind them, and rule IN THEIR FAVOR most of the time!!
Report Post »db321
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:09pmDelta D-5-3
Yep!! And the friggin courts are behind them, and rule IN THEIR FAVOR most of the time!!
Delta – you just prove my point in the previous Article – The Democrats want to put as many Liberal Judges in the Courts as they can to wipe out Christianity – Yet, some Christians Continue to Vote Democrat – Many Christians voted for Obama – I think we need a new name for Christian that don’t read or listen to the Word of God. May be we call them Paux Christians. You know the ones – they confess they are Christians, they go to Church on Sunday and they Sin like Hell Monday thru Saturday and they vote for Obama.
That way, Christians wont be blamed for destroying Christianity.
Report Post »KeenIncite
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:58amPeople commit crimes because they have lost their sense of accountability to God. So, yes, most criminals are at least functional atheists. How many devout, growing-in-their-relationship-daily-with-Jesus Christians commit crimes every day? I would wager not very many at all if any.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:55amCome on, the guy was just stating his beliefs and not trying to institute policy.
Report Post »qpwillie
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:52amFor most of the time this country has been in existence, we had prayer in schools. There is a definite difference in the amount of crimes and the severity of crimes committed since prayer was taken out. The rise in crimes also coincides with the time the prayers were taken out.
When I was in school, we never heard of or imagined crimes like some of the ones that are going on now.
Report Post »obfuscatenot
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:08pmExactly, our local high school right before Christmas had a student fashion a “shiv” in shop class, and proceeded to carry it around school, before completely dissecting a school bus seat. What does the brilliant Principal do- punishes the entire student body, they should have prevented this, after all the tens of thousands spent on “security” to make our kids safe couldn’t do it so why not? No sweatshirt/hoodie/large sweatshirts in the winter?!? Kinda like the TSA, maybe the kids should just wear bathing suits. Perhaps if this particular troubled soul had a Lord and Savior to pray to for guidance he wouldn’t have constructed a weapon at school.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:52am***I think ALL THINGS READ in America should have either a small flag, to symbolize Freedom, OR a small Chinese red star to signify Communism reading material in this country. This should include most ebooks online or printed for the DOE.
ALL Americans should know what they are reading, just as an FDA Warning Label on all products sold are warnings that can harm you internally!
THIS SHOULD BE US LAW!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:46amWell, maybe it would make the atheists go away????
Report Post »Proudmominpa
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:45amIt is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 11:59amExactly … you have NO right to Freedom FROM Religion … or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech — these people are anti free exercise and speech!
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Report Post »