Latest news with #faithleaders
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Quincy residents sue mayor over controversial Catholic saint statues for new public safety building
Fifteen religious and non-religious Quincy residents are suing Mayor Thomas Koch over recently discovered plans to install controversial Catholic patron saint statues on the front of the city's new public safety building. The lawsuit, which was filed in Norfolk County Superior Court with the help of the ACLU of Massachusetts on May 27, claims that the statues violate a clause in Article 3 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights stating that 'all religious sects and denominations ... shall be equally under the protection of the law; and no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another shall ever be established by law.' The lawsuit also alleges that Koch unilaterally decided to commission the statues, and that he and other city officials kept the plans out of the public eye for years. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars were allocated for the statues' creation without the approval of the City Council, the suit argues. Despite 'widespread' opposition to the statues from Quincy residents and local faith leaders of various religious affiliations and beliefs, plans for the statues' installation appear to be moving forward, according to the lawsuit. 'The City has abandoned its constitutional duty to remain neutral on matters of faith,' ACLU Senior Counsel Heather Weaver said in a Tuesday press release. 'The new public safety building will be home to many critical government services, but the moment they walk in the door, Quincy residents who do not share the City's favored religious beliefs will get the message that they are not welcome.' Koch's office did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Plans for the new public safety building date back to 2017 when the Quincy City Council first approved money to pay for its design, according to the lawsuit. Between 2019 and 2022, the city council approved over $280 million for the project. At some point during the development and planning of the building, it was decided that two 10-foot-tall bronze statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian — which are the Catholic patron saints of police and firefighters, respectively — should be commissioned with the intent of having them adorn the façade of the public safety building. 'Many aspects of the building were discussed at length during public meetings. However, at no point during any of the numerous City Council meetings during which funding for the public safety building was discussed or voted on was the public notified of the plan to install statues of Catholic saints on the front of the building,' the lawsuit reads. 'Nor was the potential for public art of any kind — patron saints or otherwise — contemplated by or included in public plans or drawings of the buildings from the time of the building's approval until February 2025." Instead, the public first learned about the statues through an article published in the local newspaper, The Patriot Ledger, on Feb. 8, according to the lawsuit. During a Feb. 24 City Council meeting, Chris Walker — Koch's chief of staff — stated that the decision to commission the statues 'was ultimately and only the mayor's decision.' When asked why the statues weren't shown to city councilors when they approved funding for the building during various meetings between 2017 and 2022, Koch said that large projects such as this sometimes 'evolve,' and that the idea 'wasn't on the table' when councilors cast their votes," according to the Feb. 8 Patriot Ledger article. Of Quincy City Council's nine members, two told The Patriot Ledger they had no knowledge of the statues before the newspaper contacted them about it, according to the Feb. 8 article. One councilor 'had heard something about it but didn't participate in the plans,' one said they were previously aware of the plans and five did not respond to requests for comment. During the Feb. 24 City Council meeting, Ward 1 Councilor Dave McCarthy — in whose district the new public safety building will be located — said he was told of the plan for the statues 'a long time ago.' Though over 200 residents attended the meeting to object to the statues, McCarthy also said he believed the statues would 'bless our first responders' and that he hoped they 'might say a little prayer before they go out on duty.' 'As the statues were neither discussed in public meetings nor subject to a public procurement process nor otherwise disclosed to the public prior to February 8, it is unclear how or by whom Councilor McCarthy and some other the members of the City Council were made aware of the plan in advance of the February 8 article,' the lawsuit reads. Ward 5 City Councilor Dan Minton — a 40-year veteran of the Quincy Police Department — wrote in a Feb. 9 Facebook post that he did not know about the statues before the Feb. 8 article and expressed concerns about the installation. 'Generally, people don't want to enter a police station — it is usually something bad that has happened, ranging from an act of violence to a simple parking ticket. The statue may not be a welcoming presence to someone already ill at ease," he wrote. As of April 2025, the city has made eight payments totalling over $760,000 in public funds to pay for the statues, according to the lawsuit. The total cost of the installation is expected to come to $850,000. While Catholics often call upon patron saints when praying on behalf of specific causes, other denominations and religions — including many protestant and nondenominational Christian faiths — reject the veneration of saints. Community members of many different faiths and beliefs oppose the statues, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs in the case include Quincy residents who identified themselves as Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, atheist and humanist, among other religious identities. Similarly, in an April 4 statement from Quincy Interfaith Network, 19 faith leaders of a range of religious affiliations said they had 'grave concerns' about the statues. 'No single religious tradition should be elevated in a publicly funded facility. Erecting these statues sends a message that there are insiders and outsiders in this community. We are confident this is not the message our City or our first responders want to send,' the statement reads. In addition to concerns about government entities showing religious preference, Councilor Minton, the 19 faith leaders and some of the lawsuit's plaintiffs took issue with the depiction of Saint Michael in the commissioned statue. As is commonplace with depictions of this saint, he is shown standing triumphantly over a demon. 'The violence portrayed on a heroic scale of St. Michael the Archangel is especially frightening and conjures images of police violence, which is contrary to Quincy Police Dept's mission of public safety,' the citizen petition against the statues reads. The lawsuit asks the court to find that the use of public funds to pay for the statues violates state law. It also requests that a judge issue injunctions barring Koch and the city from spending additional taxpayer dollars on them or displaying them on or near the new public safety building. The citizen petition was submitted to the mayor over 100 days ago, but he has yet to respond to it, according to The statues are expected to be available for installation around Labor Day, according to the lawsuit. The public safety building is set to open to the public in October 2025. District 7 candidates debate land use, White Stadium at Boston forum Springfield to remember June 1, 2011 tornado on anniversary Springfield opens new football field at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Central Mass. firefighter arrested on child sexual abuse material charges Mass. man and woman face kidnapping charge after teen reports being locked in closet Read the original article on MassLive.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Toronto city council debating controversial 'bubble zone' protest bylaw today
Social Sharing Toronto councillors are set Thursday to debate a staff-recommended 20-metre "bubble zone" bylaw aimed at restricting protests around places of worship, daycares and schools. It's a measure that comes with controversy. Some faith leaders and councillors who support the bylaw say it doesn't go far enough to protect vulnerable groups, while others say such a bylaw will infringe on people's right to protest. Speaking at a news conference Wednesday spearheaded by Coun. James Pasternak, leaders from an assortment of faiths threw their support behind the bubble zone idea — but said the proposed bylaw still needs changes. Rev. Ron Matheson of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada told reporters that Torontonians should be able to go to places of worship without the threat of harassment, intimidation and fear. In the last year and a half, he said, he has seen hate hurled at vulnerable groups "with glee." "It's shocking. The city of Toronto I moved to in 1995 was a safe place where this would not have been necessary, but it is necessary now," Matheson said. "Our world is changing, our country is changing — but we can do something about it." The latest recommendations from city staff come after months of demonstrations in front of hospitals, places of worship and cultural centres following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, and the subsequent bombardment of Gaza from Israel. The proposed bylaw would not mean blanket ban across the city but would instead operate on a request-based system and allow vulnerable institutions to apply for a 20-metre buffer zone that would be in place for roughly six months. Similar bylaws enacted in Vaughan, Brampton For a buffer zone request to be approved, the owners of any institutions would have to demonstrate how they've been affected by a protest within the last 90 days. After the six-month period is up, the application could be renewed, the proposed bylaw says. If passed, Toronto would follow in the footsteps of other cities including Vaughan and Brampton, which implemented similar measures last year after waves of protests and clashes sparked calls to prohibit such events near buildings considered to be social infrastructure in the eyes of the city. WATCH | Reaction to proposed ban on protests near places of worship: Toronto considers ban on protests near places of worship 5 months ago Duration 7:42 Police and bylaw officers are expected to warn people in these zones before issuing fines, allowing them the chance to leave the area voluntarily. If the buffer zone bylaw is passed in Toronto, the maximum fine would be $5,000. Staff say a 20-metre buffer is a "reasonable perimeter" that will protect access to the facilities, while being "minimally impairing" on Charter rights. Others disagree. At Wednesday's news conference, Coun. Dianne Saxe called the bylaw proposed by staff an "insult to the Jewish community" that will "not provide any protection," while Coun. Brad Bradford said it was "totally inadequate." Groups warn of infringement on right to protest Bradford took issue with the application process putting the onus on groups to have to apply for protections, and called for a bubble zone distance more in line with those seen in Vaughan and Brampton, at 100 metres. Pasternak said he could see a range of 50 to 100 metres, accounting for the realities of a "tight urban environment." "I don't want people who have been subjected to this to have to come and fill out a form and say, 'We have been victimized, we need protection,'" Bradford said. "That should be available to them and it shouldn't be a big, bureaucratic process." In Vaughan and Brampton, the ban automatically applies to places of worship and no application is required. Conversely, a joint letter sent to the city last week from The Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Centre for Free expression says the bylaw "represents a significant risk to peaceful expression and assembly, and is not necessary in light of existing police powers. "The police already have broad powers to protect access to property and to intervene in the event of a threat to human physical safety, including during protests," the letter reads. "Therefore, a new bylaw is simply unnecessary." Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto–Danforth, was one of several councillors who attended a rally last month pushing back against the proposed bylaw, saying at the time "it's a very fine line that we have to walk" when it comes to people's Charter rights. Staff say the city is expected to spend roughly $1.6 million to hire 12 staff and purchase the vehicles and laptops required to administer the bylaw. It says another $200,000 will be needed for public education as part of the proposal. If approved by council, the bylaw would come into effect on July 2.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Community rallies in north St. Louis after devastating storm
ST. LOUIS – In the wake of last Friday's deadly storm, heartbreak has turned into action. With damage stretching across north St. Louis, the community didn't wait for help—they became it. And what's rising from the rubble is something powerful: hope, unity, and a fierce determination to protect what's left. Tents and tables popped up across the north St. Louis as residents provided tarps to local businesses and homeowners bracing for Monday's expected rain. Volunteers spent Sunday tarping Annqunette Thirdkill's roof, one of thousands damaged in the storm. 'First of all, the entire roof is off where you can see out of my niece's bedroom—into the bathroom,' Thirdkill said. 'And then so now we're trying to put the rafters together just stable enough to put a tarp over it, or maybe just some plywood and then tarp.' The home has been in Thirdkill's family for 72 years, spanning five generations. A GoFundMe has been established to help the family remain in their home. On Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard near Marcus Avenue, tables of free food, drinks, and clothing were set up for anyone in need. Faith leaders and nonprofits banded together to serve, organize, and transport residents to safety. 'Different community organizations, development organizations. And they just decide to structure, set up, and, you know, help the people that got the support here. We have to leave contact numbers, get contact numbers. Even vans will be driving around helping people, picking them up, trying to get them to safety,' Pastor Pamela Paul, Faith, Hope & Love Worship Center, said. One woman shared that she was on the verge of eviction. Volunteers quickly raised $750 to keep her in her home. At Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, the grills were hot and the mission was clear: help everyone they can. 'Hamburgers, hot dogs…we're taking names for our mission outreach program for our young people, our senior citizens, for the community, for Marcus and Page, all the way over to Marcus and Natural Bridge,' Yonzella Ware-Jackson, Greater Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opposition to compromise budget deal could tilt it further towards GOP
The Brief The bipartisan budget compromise is on the verge of exploding as progressive Democrats say they won't support at least the provision kicking adult undocumented immigrants off MN Care. They rallied alongside clergy from several faiths Friday and heard stories from immigrant families who have lost loved ones because they lacked healthcare. Republicans had these cuts as a focus all session. They're happy with the cost savings. And with some DFL legislators pledging to vote against budget deals because of the provision, GOP votes are suddenly more important. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The bipartisan budget compromise announced Thursday is teetering on the brink of a blow-up this weekend. Outside looking in Loud opposition started before the deal announcement finished, and it didn't let up Friday. And now the deal could start to change, but not in the way the opposition hoped. There are 101 DFL legislators and 100 GOP legislators, and none of them got everything they want. But now it looks like passing the entire budget will mostly rely on Republican votes. Healthcare haves, have nots Progressive Democrats are knocking the budget deal that calls for removing about 17,000 undocumented immigrants from MN Care. All the adults would lose coverage, while around 3,000 children would keep it. As the clock winds down on the session, the progressives may be stuck on the outside looking in. But they are far from alone. Clergy from several faiths joined them at the Capitol Friday to rally against the deal. Almost invisible in the crowd was Dieu Do, who says her immigrant father had no health insurance and died because he waited too long to treat his illness. "When we're talking about this killing our community members, this is not hyperbole," she said. "This has happened and it's happening and it happened to me. It happened to my family." A new vote dynamic Several DFL legislators stood in the crowd and pledged not to vote to pass the deal, saying healthcare coverage is morally the right thing to do, and fiscally, too. "If the legislators are concerned about costs, it's a helluva lot cheaper to pay for early care and to prevent things," said Dr. Katie Guthrie, a family physician in St. Paul. Republicans made several compromises in the budget deal — on keeping unemployment for seasonal school workers and paid family and medical leave, for example — but they were laser-focused on the healthcare issue. "This is a bipartisan deal that focuses on the largest cost driver, which was working-age adults that were signing up for this taxpayer-funded health care benefit," said Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, (R-Fergus Falls). And now, without those progressive DFL votes, GOP votes seem essential in passing the budget bills, which gives them a little leverage. Senate Republicans are hoping to sweeten the deal a little before they commit their votes. It's a delicate balance, though, because any more concessions could make Democrats like the deal even less and chip away more of their votes. Timeline So we know a special session is coming, and it could be pretty easy or it could become very complicated.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Dozens at Minnesota Capitol protest deal that includes health coverage rollback for undocumented immigrants
Some Minnesota lawmakers say they will vote down budget proposal, here's why Some Minnesota lawmakers say they will vote down budget proposal, here's why Some Minnesota lawmakers say they will vote down budget proposal, here's why Dozens gathered outside the Minnesota House chamber Friday to protest a key policy change DFL and GOP leaders agreed to, in order to ink a budget deal: Remove adult undocumented immigrants from the state's health care program by the end of the year – but let children remain eligible for coverage. Faith leaders and advocates held signs that said, "We stand with immigrants" and "Empathy: good government's superpower!" as they read aloud anonymous stories of people who have received life-saving treatment or medications since they were allowed to enroll in MinnesotaCare on Jan. 1. The state program provides health coverage for people with low-incomes not covered by Medicaid, on January 1. "When we're talking about this killing of our community members — it's not hyperbole. This has happened. And it's happening. It happened to me. It happened to my family," said Dieu Do, a daughter of Vietnamese and Mexican immigrants who said she lost her father to illness eight years ago. He didn't have coverage. "This issue is so personal to me because my dad died because he didn't get the health care that he needed," Do said. More than 20,000 undocumented immigrants are enrolled, which is more than expected for the first four months of the year, and 24% of them are children under 18, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The cost to the state is slightly more expensive than originally estimated for this time period. From January through the end of April, paid claims totalled $3.9 million, DHS data showed. "It's not a measure of being uncaring. It's a fiscal issue, and there are still opportunities for those Minnesotans that are here, those that are here illegally, they can still join the private market," said House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. Republicans have warned that a surge in enrollment could triple the cost of the program over four years, and they pushed for a full repeal of the policy before leaders brokered the compromise. But DHS said it's hard to anticipate at this point how much it will cost in the future. The state agency noted that although more people signed up when the law took effect, the cost per person is lower than initial estimates. Joining the group outside the House Friday were some DFL lawmakers who vowed to reject the partial rollback of the MinnesotaCare program, which could derail the carefully crafted budget deal in a closely divided Capitol and upend the final few days. When asked Thursday during a news conference if they would hold up other budget bills to block this from passing, Democrats said their focus was on this particular provision and declined to say what else they would do to push back against it. "We still have some conversations to have about strategy for the next four days, but right now, we're focused on this specific provision," said Rep. Cedric Frazier, DFL-New Hope. Lawmakers have a constitutional deadline Monday to end the session and pass the next two-year budget. They will work through the weekend as they try to get as much done as possible, but leaders conceded there will likely be a special session — it's just a matter of how long it will last. The partisan divide over parts of the budget deal could further complicate the finale.
