History - Past and Perspective
Pandemic Response Makes Liberty Sick in the States
AP Images

Pandemic Response Makes Liberty Sick in the States

As part of the coronavirus pandemic response, governors, mayors, and county officials have been tossing the Constitution and the Bill of Rights into trash bins. Let’s not let freedom fail. ...
Steve Byas
Article audio sponsored by The John Birch Society

From the print edition of The New American:

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has threatened churches and synagogues with permanent closure if they dare to open their buildings of worship to hold services during the coronavirus pandemic. In March, de Blasio said, “A small number of communities, specific churches and synagogues, are unfortunately not paying attention to this guidance [to close during the pandemic] even though it’s so widespread.” One might notice that de Blasio used the word guidance rather than orders, but he clearly did not mean that he was just making some wise suggestions.

“I want to say to all of those preparing for the potential of religious services this weekend,” de Blasio said, “if you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services after having been told so often not to, our enforcement agents will have no choice but to shut down those services.”

To make sure that neither Christians nor Jews assembled for worship, he added that law enforcement in the city “will take additional action up to the point of fines, and potentially closing the building permanently.” (Emphasis added.)

This fantastic article is for subscribers only.
Login
Lost Password?

JBS Member or ShopJBS.org Customer?

Sign in with your ShopJBS.org account username and password or use that login to subscribe.

The New American Digital Subscription The New American Digital Subscription Subscribe Now
Use code SUB25 at check out
  • 24 Issues Per Year
  • Digital Edition Access
  • Exclusive Subscriber Content
  • Audio provided for all articles
  • Unlimited access to past issues
  • Cancel anytime.
  • Renews automatically
The New American Print+Digital Subscription The New American Print+Digital Subscription Subscribe Now
Use code SUB25 at check out
  • 24 Issues Per Year
  • Print edition delivery (USA)
    *Available Outside USA
  • Digital Edition Access
  • Exclusive Subscriber Content
  • Audio provided for all articles
  • Unlimited access to past issues
  • Cancel anytime.
  • Renews automatically