ACLU Sacramento Condemns Area Violence Targeting Places of Worship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010
Contact: Nikos Leverenz, ACLU press office 916/248-0338 or 916/996-9170

ACLU Sacramento Condemns Area Violence Targeting Places of Worship;
Position Consistent with ACLU Support of New York City Islamic Center

SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Wednesday joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations California (CAIR) and other civic groups to condemn the rash of violence targeting places of worship in the larger Sacramento area in recent years.

“We condemn and deplore violent acts of intimidation against houses of worship. They are wholly contrary to the culture of mutual respect and tolerance that we continue to strive for in this city,” said Nikos Leverenz, vice-chair of the Sacramento County ACLU.

Leverenz said the local ACLU position is consistent with the national ACLU's support if the building of a mosque and cultural center in lower Manhattan. That statement underscored the ACLU’s steadfast commitment to religious liberty, noting that it has “defended the right of all religious denominations — from majority faiths to marginalized religions — to establish places of worship, and for Americans to pray, or not, as they choose…. Preventing Muslims or any other group from freely practicing their faith is unconstitutional and goes against the very core of American freedom.”

“The First Amendment expressly recognizes the right of individuals to freely exercise their religious beliefs, including erecting places of worship. Government decision makers must not discriminate against a disfavored group or anyone on the basis of their religion, or lack thereof,” Leverenz said.

Leverenz also called for Sacramento leaders and members of the community to stand with area Muslims, those of other faith traditions, and the non-religious, in maintaining a broad commitment to exercising liberty of conscience under the rule of law.

“Whatever one’s personal views on matters of faith, all Sacramento residents ought to be able to engage in religious practices without fear of physical violence or discrimination. Sacramento is often forwarded as the ‘most diverse city in America.’ This diversity is reflected in the rich tapestry of those who choose to worship individually and collectively,” he said.

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