This ruling is truly a breath of fresh air given the unreasonable executive actions that Americans have witnessed of their elected leaders. All judges should rule on this type of lawsuit the way that U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe did because it is the only equitable treatment under the United States Constitution. However, there are many federal judges that would not have ruled the way Judge Sharpe did because their leftist philosophy and not the constitution dictate their rulings. For this reason, Florida Family Association encourages you to thank U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe for applying equal treatment for worship services.
Fox News reports: Cuomo, de Blasio wrong to limit worship services, condone mass protests: federal judge
New York Gov. coronavirus orders unfairly targeted houses of worship, federal judge says.
A federal judge said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "exceeded" their executive limits by limiting worship services and condoning mass protests as the state continues to reopen from coronavirus restrictions.
U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe issued a preliminary injunction Friday on behalf of two Catholic priests -- Steven Soos and Nicholas Stamos -- and a trio of Orthodox Jewish congregants -- Elchanan Perr, Daniel Schonborn, and Mayer Mayerfeld -- in Brooklyn, represented by the Thomas More Society.
They filed the suit in the Northern District of New York after mass protests and looting occurred in the Big Apple following George Floyd's police-related death in May.
De Blasio had "simultaneous pro-protest/anti-religious gathering messages" when he "actively encouraged participation in protests and openly discouraged religious gatherings and threatened religious worshipers," Sharpe said in his federal order.
"Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio could have just as easily discouraged protests, short of condemning their message, in the name of public health and exercised discretion to suspend enforcement for public safety reasons instead of encouraging what they knew was a flagrant disregard of the outdoor limits and social distancing rules," the judge added. "They could have also been silent. But by acting as they did, Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio sent a clear message that mass protests are deserving of preferential treatment."
As a result of the federal order, Cuomo, James, and de Blasio are "enjoined and restrained from enforcing any indoor gathering limitations” against the involved houses of worship “greater than imposed for Phase 2 industries,” provided that participants follow the prescribed social distancing.
They are also forbidden from “enforcing any limitation for outdoor gatherings provided that participants in such gatherings follow social distancing requirements as set forth in the applicable executive orders and guidance.” Read the full article.
Florida Family Association has prepared an email for you to thank U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe for his equitable treatment in this case.
Click here to send your email to thank U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe. For all email clients because there is only one email address. YAHOO works best in Yahoo Mobile App, not so well with internet browser.
This email will open in your email browser because U.S. District Courts are blocking normal form emails sent through the Florida Family Association email server and emails with specific Subject Line wording. If the above link does not open in your email browser or if the email is returned to you please prepare an email using the suggested subject line, content and email addresses provided below. Please feel free to change the wording.
Suggested subject line:
Thank you for equitable treatment in ruling regarding worship services vs mass protests.
Suggested content:
Honorable Judge Gary L. Sharpe,
Your ruling regarding worship services vs mass protests is truly a breath of fresh air given the unreasonable executive actions that Americans have witnessed of their elected leaders. Thank you for your order which provided equitable treatment and legal relief for worship services.
Email Address
gary_sharpe@nynd.uscourts.gov
Contact information:
Hon. Gary L. Sharpe, Senior U.S. District Judge
James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse
445 Broadway, Room 112
Albany, NY 12207
Courtroom Clerk - John Law (518) 257-1873
gary_sharpe@nynd.uscourts.gov
About Judge Sharpe: U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe has been on the federal bench since 1997. He was previously an assistant U.S. attorney and former Broome County assistant district attorney. Sharpe became a supervisory assistant U.S. Attorney for New York's Northern District in 1982 and later became U.S. Attorney from 1992-94. Sharpe, a Vietnam veteran, earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Buffalo University in 1971 and a J.D. degree from Cornell Law School in 1974. Sharpe's reputation among lawyers: he is fair at sentencings due to a knowledge of the law, moves trials along, reads all submissions and has high intelligence.
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