 Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo and interfaith leaders stood together in a call to protect religious freedom and condemn acts of hatred.
“The first words in the Bill of Rights are the ability of all individuals to have the free exercise of religion,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Young Israel of Staten Island in Willowbrook. “These are the very first rights embodied in the U.S. Constitution before anything else.” He spoke of the arrival of the Pilgrims who left England to seek religious freedom. “They came together, and around this time of year, they celebrated a harvest to give thanks and gratitude for all the blessings in their life,” said Borough President Fossella. “Nothing has really changed in these last few hundred years. We still give thanks and express gratitude for living in the greatest country in the world, in large part because we are free to exercise whatever religion we want.” The press conference was held in response to a growing wave of anti-Semitism and religious intolerance across the country, including an anti-Israeli protest outside of the Park East Manhattan Synagogue on Nov. 19. The protestors used anti-Semitic and incendiary language. “What happened the other day up on the East Side of Manhattan at that synagogue is unacceptable and it is not to be tolerated,” said District Attorney McMahon. “People are simply going about their American right. But it’s more than that, it’s a human right. To follow their religion and express their religion, whatever it is, and that’s something we have to stand up for every day when someone threatens that.” The religious leaders echoed the theme of harmony for worshippers of all faiths. “No matter what aspect of our religions we want to celebrate, it should be allowed to be done in peace and harmony and everybody taking some joy in what others do as well,” said Monsignor William Belford, pastor of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Castleton Corners. “I speak for our Catholic priests and people in saying no hatred is allowed, only peace and joy.” Comments are closed.
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