Lawmakers, Pastors, Increase Pressure on NYC Mayor to Stop Church Evictions from NYC Schools

Author: ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence

Pressure continues to grow on Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Education to delay its order evicting the churches from meeting in the NYC public schools after Feb. 12, and to repeal its policy singling out religious worship services for exclusion from the schools.

- Pastors and other religious leaders are urging people to march with them across the Brooklyn Bridge this Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3:30 p.m. to urge the Mayor to repeal the policy and to allow the churches to stay in the schools. Even if you live outside of New York City, please consider coming and joining the march (I am going up from D.C. to participate). If you can come, please assemble at Cadman Plaza Park on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge. We will rally, pray and then walk across the bridge to nearby City Hall. Pray for good weather, and that the Mayor’s heart turns toward the churches.

- The NYC City Council Education Committee will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the 16th Floor Committee Room at 250 Broadway in lower Manhattan on Resolution 1155, which urges the New York Legislature to approve legislation requiring the Department of Education to abandon its anti-worship service policy. The City Council lacks the authority to order the Mayor to change the policy directly, but they can ask the Legislature to do so. And that legislation is already moving through the process in Albany.

- Last Wednesday, the New York Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a bill that would compel New York City to repeal its anti-worship policy. The bill now moves to the Senate floor. This bill has bipartisan support, both in the Senate and the New York Assembly. The companion bill in the Assembly has not been heard yet by a committee, but should be soon.

- Please continue praying for this situation. The New York City policy is a dangerous violation of religious liberty that we do not want to see spread to other states and cities. Churches benefit communities and help people, and the churches in the NYC schools are examples to all of us how Christians can offer help and hope to their neighbors. We want the Lord to change Mayor Bloomberg’s heart and repeal the policy. If we can make it there, we can make it anywhere;  it's up to you, New York, New York!

This post originally appeared here.