The Family Research Council is fighting back against Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to make the 9/11 memorial a prayerless event.
The FRC has gathered more than 55,000 signed petitions that join New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera’s efforts to urge Bloomberg to reverse his decision to prevent clergy and first responders from participating in the Ground Zero commemoration. The petition is being presented to the mayor’s office Friday afternoon.
“Ten years ago, in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history, Americans turned to God for solace. Members of the clergy on the scene and across the nation gave aid, comfort and hope to the shocked, the fearful and the bereaved. As the 10th anniversary of that day approaches, we would do well to turn our eyes again toward our Protector,” says Tony Perkins, president of the FRC.
“Unfortunately,” Perkins says, “New York City Michael Bloomberg would have us look the other way. At a Ground Zero commemoration for the families of victims, Bloomberg is allowing the presence of politicians and presidents. But pastors and prayer are overty missing.” Perkins says that’s not enough.
“Pastors are not invited to the event, as Mayor Bloomberg apparently thinks that the invited politicians will be able to offer enough comfort to the families,” Perkis says. “But Mayor Bloomberg’s glaring omissions from the event do not end with clergy. The very people who hallowed the ground, the living embodiment of selfless courage we vowed ‘never to forget’—New York’s first responders—won’t even be invited.”
Do you think Bloomberg will change his mind? Should he?
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