The NYCLU ( a chapter of the ACLU) is advocating on behalf of a group of religious Occupy protesters in New York. They’re right to do so. I have decidedly mixed feelings about the Occupy movement’s economic agenda, but speech like this in a park – whether political or religious – should be allowed in a free society.
NEW YORK — The New York Civil Liberties Union today wrote to New York City officials and Brookfield Properties asking them to accommodate a Christmas prayer vigil at Zuccotti Park.
Occupy Faith, which is composed of members of an Occupy Wall Street Christian interest group, is planning to hold a 24-prayer vigil in Zuccotti Park to begin at midnight on Christmas Eve and continue to midnight Christmas Day.
“The city has enabled religious events in parks in the past, including a 1995 mass in Central Park led by Pope John Paul II ,” NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. “It is entirely appropriate for the city to allow these folks to pray together in the park. It should do so without restricting any items the group believes are necessary to express its faith.”
Via NYCLU press release.