‘We’re Gonna Be Homeless’: NYC Pastors & Politicians Hold Protest Against Ban on Churches Using Public School Space
- Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:45am by
Billy Hallowell
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Politicians and faith leaders came together in Lower Manhattan, NYC to protest the city's public school church worship ban
Pastors and clergy have held a series of protests in New York City against a ban on church use of public school buildings for “worship.” The rule, which goes into effect on Feb. 12, would leave countless churches homeless and without a location to converge.
On Wednesday, the Blaze was on-site as faith leaders and politicians came together, once again, to protest on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. After participating in a press conference held by Bronx Councilman and pastor Fernando Cabrera, the group marched to nearby City Hall, singing Christian hymns and humming praise songs along the way.
New York City Comptroller John Liu and City Council members Peter Vallone Jr., Letitia James and Ydanis Rodriguez joined the protesters in their efforts. Rev. Richard Del Rio (the Blaze interviewed Del Rio about his opposition to the clergy ban at Ground Zero last year), a local faith leader at Abounding Grace Ministries, also spoke at the event.
“We’re gonna be homeless,” Del Rio said, going on to claim that he doesn’t see another alternative location for his church.
“Throughout the years we have served. We have worked with the children. We have worked with the gangs. I have worked with the police department…to be able to [work] with the community,” he said. “And now, Mr. Mayor…you forgot and you‘re turning a deaf ear and a blind eye and you’re closing your mind to what it is we do.”
Below, watch numerous politicians and faith leaders, including James and Rev. Del Rio, rail against Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the impending eviction policy:
Dimas Salaberrios, a pastor from Infinity Church in the Bronx, gave an impassioned speech at the event as well. The faith leader has been on a hunger strike, consuming only liquids for the past 18 days, in hopes that the city will change its course on the ban.
Watch Salaberrios address the protesters, below:
In December, we first reported that the Bronx Household of Faith, a small church using a public school to worship, had lost a 16-year legal battle with the city. While church eviction has been sought for quite some time, a judge had issued an injunction, which has allowed houses of worship to continue using the spaces. But in a game of judicial volleyball, a federal appeals court upheld the city’s policy last June, reversing the previous stance (i.e. the injunction) of a district judge. Last month, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, thus upholding the June ruling.
Robert Hall, the co-pastor of the Bronx Household of Faith, discussed his battle with the city, appearing alongside his lawyer, Jordan Lorence, from the Alliance Defense Fund:
Despite debate and calls that the city is discriminating against Christian churches, Department of Education spokesperson Marge Feinberg maintains that the deadline for eviction isn’t changing.
“Our view is that public school buildings, which are funded by taxpayers’ dollars, should not be used as houses of worship,” Feinberg said. “Public school space cannot and should not be used for worship services, especially because school space is not equally available to all faiths.”
While WORLD on Campus previously reported that the number of congregations impacted would be 150, on Wednesday, WNYC said the number is closer to 66. Either way, numerous houses of worship throughout the city will no longer have a place to call home come next month. This, according to the faith leaders, will lead to fewer services and assistance in high-needs areas, as the churches were working with local gangs and families in need.
The district appears unwilling to budge, but Cabrera has some legislative plans up his sleeve. The councilman is leading the charge to champion Resolution #1155, which would call upon the New York State legislature to pass legislation what would amend education law to allow churches access to school property. In the New York Assembly, the related bill is #A8800 and in the State Senate it is #S6047.
Judging from the protesters’ fervency, the battle is far from over.
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Comments (66)
The_Jerk
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:57pmMayor Michael Bloomberg and Marge Feinberg are Jews. New York City is defined as Jerusalem west. This is the same story repeating itself over and over again. Jews are the anti-Christian movement in this country. The patterns are clear. We have two examples posted here, on this website, today.
Report Post »Jews are anti-Christian by fact, a fact that is not antisemitic. Jews are removing our traditions. Jews are changing our culture. Jews are 1.7% of our population.
The_Jerk
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:07pm“Anti-Semitism is nothing but the antagonistic attitude produced in the non-Jew by the Jewish group. The Jewish group has thrived on oppression and on the antagonism it has forever met in the world.”
– Albert Einstein, in Collier’s Magazine, November 26, 1938
Report Post »WashingtonIsMyHero
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:16pmWrong! Those two are also Progressives who are the real reason that Christianity is aggressively attacked. OWS and other leftists are also attacking Jews. Anti-semitism is on the rise again. Haven’t we seen this movie before?
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:47pmWrong.The Jews are the progressives leading the revolution, and have been since the early 20th century. They are the single most powerful anti-Christian, cultural subversive, group in America.
Report Post »38of43
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:41pmThank you for being concerned, but let’s not paint with too broad a brush now. Among those supporting this cause are NYC council members who are Jewish like David Greenfield. My council member, Karen Koslowitz told me she co-sponsored Resolution 1155 along with Councilman Fernando Cabrera. There are a couple of Jewish congregations affected by this decision as well. They sent congregants to join the Christians at the city council meeting to show support for the resolution. Thanks again.
Report Post »1956
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:52pmWe are a nation ignorant of our own history. Early in America’s history, public buildings were routinely used for church services, sometimes by several denominations. And at no charge.
It’s pathetic where we have fallen.
Report Post »cryinginthedesert
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:19pmThe Capitol Building itself doubled as a church on Sundays for years.
In our school district and we rent the HS auditorium to a church to help offset the building maintenance fees. It’s a win win for all of us. It was however voted on at a school board meeting if we wanted to let the church use the building or not.
Report Post »getalong
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:32pmWait a minute. What the school officials don’t get is that these schools are OWNED BY THE TAXPAYERS!!! And if renting them out to church groups to gather helps defer maintenance costs, than that is a good thing. NO MORE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET THE COMMUNIST OUT OF RUNNING OUR SCHOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »The highlander
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:46pmFollow the money and the follow the tyranny. The reason why churches comprised of tax paying citizens is being thrown out of city property is because powerful Islamic agents, Marxists and homosexual politicians will not tolerate opposition in a large American City.
This is not fiction. The US is being subverted. WAKE UP
Report Post »rafa2design
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:45amWhen God’s judgement comes to these places, they’ll all be running to the nearest churches. Atheists, agnostics, those who once believed in God, will have no where else to turn when their cities collapse and are destroyed. All mankind’s sufferings and destruction are from trying to live a life without God. From trying to say, “I can do it better on my own. I don’t need you God!” Satan thought the same way. That mindset then crept into women’s lib movement in the 60s and they shouted, “I don’t need a man to do anything!” And then that pride crept into our children who were raised fatherless and shouted, “We don’t need adults to tell us what to do!” And most men today are like Adam in the garden of Eden, afraid to stand up and do what is right, so they cower in whatever makes them comfortable. Sin is the problem and our country doesn’t want the only solution anymore. Now we‘re seeing God being removed from cities and soon we’ll see just how well our gods (money, entertainment, government) will work for us.
Report Post »mllyjul
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:49amWhere I live in Ohio a lot of schools are rented out for worship services on Sundays…It is a win, win situation as hurting schools can get some money and church start ups can save money while building a church in a new area. The churches set up and take down everything on Sunday…nothing of a Christian nature is left. They rent storage units and trailors for storage. On Monday morning you would never know there was a worship service there. New York is run by godless darkened hearts and minds…they will reap what they sow. They do so many stupid things it’s only a matter of time.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:43pmWhere Obama on this one…mr. I’m a christian not a muslim should be chiming in any moment.
Report Post »treyeangledlockdown
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:35amKeep Religion of all kinds out of learning and schools unless organized by students them selves. Its obvious Christianity is being mopped up with bleach and water in this country then again ask your kids how much they know about history that’s almost out of schools to. Pretty soon numbers are gonna offend the right group of whiners and they wont teach math any more. Thats sounds stupid but I,m just joining the crowd these days.
Report Post »cmsvmom
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:32amI have a friend who used to belong to Bronx Household of Faith before she moved out of state. All they are talking about is renting the space when students are not there. Not leaving any traces of religion. This is truly unjust to deny them the same treatment as any other community organization on the weekend.
Report Post »ken486
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:33amWhat about, “…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Report Post »teacups
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:19amI’m always amazed at things like this – - those churchgoes are also taxpayers who helped pay for those “public school buildings”. Ironic how people are grumbling about how churches “don’t have to pay taxes”, so they say – - yet where do they refer people who need assistance (clothing, food, shelter, comfort, utilities assistance, etc………..)? The church. They want it both ways. How many countl…ess times did I as a former nurse refer needy families and children to – and graciously get help from – area churches for everything from shoes, blankets, food, transportation, clothing, a coat, new eyeglasses for a child, a collection be taken up for an elderly woman to get a critical prescription filled, a group coming out to help a crippled widower to remove limbs from tornado damage…..the list goes on. Don’t ever forget for a moment the irreplaceable place the church has in the community.
The church has always been willing to throw open its doors for schools. AA groups. Community meetings. Emergencies.
I shudder to think where the community would be without the CIVIC (never mind the spiritual…) assistance of the church.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:48amTalk about needing glass belly buttons to see out to the world, as long as there is no scholl at the same time it is not a problem, that way they are “seperated.” This is just more people trying to hurt Christianity. New boards need to be elected who get it.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:46pmWell if that‘s the case they should rent out the house of congress when it’s not in session, or any other government building when it’s closed as well.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:48amIf you are Conservative… and Christian or Jewish… get away from New York City!
Report Post »neverfinal
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:23amMayor Bloomberg is a Communist. Atheist and Sharia Law supporter. He is against God and Faith.
Report Post »God Bless these Pastor’s. It is a little late, but about time they stand up against this evil. They let themselves be silenced for to long. God will bless them for standing up, finally. I Pray for them.
Choctaw25
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:44amThe leftist, liberal Democrats are getting exactly what they have voted for all their lives and will continue to vote for in all upcoming elections.
Report Post »The losers of society always vote Democrat, and what party is the only party that is filing lawsuits everyday to keep God out of every aspect of our lives, THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.
Losers always want to pick and choose how they want the laws they get passed to apply, until it turns around and bites them in the behind.
Suck it up and hit the streets, maybe you’ll think next time when you vote, but I doubt it. Just scream RACISM, that always seems to work.
holy ghostbuster
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:41amMaybe those “homeless” pastors could ask some of their local Christian churches to temporarily share space. But that would cut into the profits of the other churches. WWJD?
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:05amWhat a maroon.
Report Post »I think He would want to be where the need is to be able to administer. Big mouth no brain!
lynnissmart
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:38amThis is the left’s attack on religion….period….getting rid of religious freedom any way they can…….nudge……poke….
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:36amIf you are a muslim spreading Islam and Sharia, then everything is A-OK!
Report Post »expatinontariocanada
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:36amWhen I was a kid in elementary school and when our new school was being built my grade, all three classes, had to hold class in, what for it……A CHURCH for a whole year! Oh the horrors. Seriously, thank God the church didn’t say “we can’t allow secular meetings to be held in this place of worship“ or we would have been ”schoolless”. What a bunch of crap. Freedom OF religion NOT freedom from religion. Words mean things!
Report Post »neverfinal
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:33amSo true…. Our Constitution is being distorted from it’s truth.
Report Post »It is to protect Religion and promote Religion away from Government Control and corruption. This is the exact reason why, Religion needs to be put back into our Schools and it is the Communist Control in the Schools that needs to be removed and homeless. UNION = Communism and if you are in a Union then fight for it’s demise or you are a trader to America. Time for all good teacher’s to stand up and fight against the Unions. When we get this Country back, we want record of you being against the Union. Your jobs will be in jeopardy and your mask will be pulled off, for all parents to see.
jnobfan
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:35amI understand the value probably most of these “churchs” bring to the community but……..
Report Post »the law is the law. If you give space to one “church” group you must give equal space and time to ALL church groups. It just doesn’t work for most schools – if it is possible fine but there is only so much space and hours in a day not to mention the expense of keeping schools open longer.
expatinontariocanada
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:39amWhy don’t you just drop the word “church” and leave it at “groups”. No groups allowed to meet in public schools, period. That’s what all this gets you…exclusion. How long ago was it that we all said goodbye to our good friend, common sense? Way too long….
Report Post »Locked
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:23am“If you give space to one “church” group you must give equal space and time to ALL church groups.”
This is not true. Applying Supreme Court rulings to other activities and presentations in public school buildings, all groups must have the same opportunity to present their views. But if you only have (for example) seven open slots for groups, and eight apply, then it becomes luck of the draw… and the courts say that’s fine because everyone had an equal opportunity.
The only way this ruling would make sense is if specific religious groups were being denied, but the article doesn’t make mention of which groups are in that category.
Report Post »jenniferakagigi
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:25amHow many Muslims meet at Public Schools? Do Muslims continue to meet at Atlantic City High School? (NJ) this took place in 2011 http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/south-jersey-muslims-celebrate-eid-al-adha-feast-of-sacrifice/article_07d31584-099f-11e1-b1c0-001cc4c002e0.html
Report Post »momsense
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:15amHomeless–doesn‘t the city realize that they’re losing money too? I‘m certain that they’re not using the facilities for free.
Report Post »Hiswill
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:46amI may have missed it in the story, but WHY are they evicting these churches? The city is receiving several million dollars a year in rent for their use. Is it because the city fears some Godliness will be left behind in the building after they leave?
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:14amThe Libt@rds in theis country like to say there is a wlll of separation between Church and State…They say it is contained in the Constitution. The problem is that people are so ignorant of what the Constitution actulally says, they believe it…Go look…Find it>>>It is NOT there…The Libt@rds that site the First Ammendment then twist it’s meaning…
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.
What aprt of FREEDOM of expression do you not understnd? It is freedom OF Religion not freedom FROM religion unless the Government FORCES religion on you by ESTABLISHING a STATE religion…No one is establishing a religion here….The left has preverted the Constitution and the SHEEPLE have listened.
Report Post »singleparent
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:25amyou sir are 100% correct…
Report Post »Shupp
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:51amSorry Doggy you are actually wrong in your post here. The government is forcing a religion upon the masses of the United States Citizens. It is forcing the religion of non-tolerance and the Religion of Liberal Athiesm upon its people. It’s call reverse discrimination, one belief is forcing it’s will upon the multitudes of others under the guise of non-discrimination. However the Irony of the situation doesn’t become well known to most people becuase they are blinded by the liberal activism that is so rampant in our education system, political system, social system and now our religious systems.
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 10:44amThere’s also a vast distance and separation between Heaven and Hell, and you can not go from one to the other. Unfortunately, most of the ******** are going to find out that there really is a Hell – the hard way, when they find themselves in it.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:12amI am very much against this decision, and couldn’t understand how a judge could rule like this… until I came across this sentence:
“Public school space cannot and should not be used for worship services, especially because school space is not equally available to all faiths.”
Can anyone tell me what faiths are being denied fair usage of the school space? That would be the only reason to rule like this, assuming there is not freedom of opportunity for any faith to pay and use the space. None of the linked articles seemed to discuss this; they just focused on the emotional appeal of the pastors’ protesting.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:23amI don’t even think that unequal treatment of faiths is a reason to ban them all. Why not open it to all faiths (if it wasn’t already) and allow the practice to continue. Obamacare puts these same kind of people in charge of making medical decisions for us. They‘ll be cutting people’s heads off to cure migraines.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:23amA mosque on school grounds would be most welcome.
That is the “faith” that is not represented. This is about injecting Islam into schools and killing God.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:31am@Gonzo
“Why not open it to all faiths (if it wasn’t already) and allow the practice to continue.”
Exactly what I’m thinking. I don‘t care if every faith doesn’t participate, but every one should have an equal opportunity to do so (ie, if they submit their forms on time, pay the fee, etc). Hence why I’m wondering if anyone knows if this is being denied. If that’s not the case, I can’t help but feel the courts ruled poorly; but if it IS the case, it seems like the correct decision.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:35amNo doubt Mike, Muslims, Satanists and every other so-called faith would get a shot at it. If they only have a facility for a few hours a week, it would cut down the amount of time they have for radicalization and so fourth. They get a place of their own and there are people there 7 days a week with plenty of free time for hating and plotting.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:46amLocked, this Feinberg guy says it is not open to all faiths but, I would like to see some evidence of that.
Report Post »ldpeters
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:11amFor years I belonged to a young growing church that met in schools where space was not only available but offered to us. We RENTED the space, paying montly rental to the school district. This not only allowed us to worship but it supported the school we met in by using available and unused space on a Sunday.
Report Post »This is ALSO wise business sense for a school……by providing funds not otherwise available to them.
So tell me New York………What is your demented problem this time????
mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:37amTell them you want to open a mosque on school grounds and worship Allah every Friday night. They will fall all over themselves trying to help you!
Report Post »screamineagle
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:10amAnd The Surprise Is??????? Year After Year, THESE Same New Yorkers Continue To Put These SAME Politicians Back In Office,, And WIll Again… So Enjoy The Sprouting Of The Seeds You Have Sown… Maybe Now Their Mayor Will Raise More Tax Rates Also, And Be A Further Blessing To His People…. But Keep Voting Liberal There Sweetpeas… Oh, And How’s That Working Out For You???
Report Post »jdw2469
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:04amHow exhausting it is to have the government “we voted into office” constantly attacking us!!! When will America wake up? Hopefully sometime before we are unable to!!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:04am“because school space is not equally available to all faiths” Then fix that, don’t ban them all. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water. Feinberg is a fool.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:01am.
Why are you “Bitch’in”? This is what ya’ll vote for! Separation of Church and State is all we hear from you DemoProgressive Yankee Idiots. Now when it’s in your backyard, you don’t like it much. Do You?…………
Shame is, even this will not extricate your head from your neither regions. Ya’ll will march like Trained Seals to Vote for Obama………
Report Post »jdw2469
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:04amAmen
Report Post »Karenshepherd
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:55amThe reason for this ban was that the schools are “equally available” to different faiths? Have different faiths asked to use the facilities and been refused, or is it simply that they’re not asking. Christianity remains the dominant religion in the United State–it only makes sense that they would be using these facilities more, but to ban them seems like an attack on Christianity–and not a very smart one, since many of these churches performed community service.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:53amWhat is going on here is another example of the synergy between the godless communists and the Allah worshiping muslims. Just look at how God was killed in Europe and replaced with socialism and massive muslim “immigration”. Europeans are now in a position where they 1) have no faith and no longer seek God, 2) Look to Socialist governments for all their needs, 3) have a huge muslim population that worships the Allah deity not God.
The muslims did not kill their deity and will now work with great effort to complete the submission of the Europeans to Allah.
The same playbook is being used in America to kill God and replace Him with Allah and Sharia Law.
The commies and muslims are in concert with each other.
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