NY’s Broome Community College sweeps church off campus

Attorney Raymond J. Dague of Syracuse, New York and a team of lawyers from the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit yesterday on behalf of North Pointe Church in Binghamton, New York. The church, which has been meeting at Broome Community College since last fall, was told by the college that they can no longer use the college facilities for their Sunday worship, despite the fact that the college does not need the rooms on a Sunday morning, and despite the fact that the college lets other groups rent space from them.

An application has been made by the church’s lawyers for a temporary restraining order to allow the church to continue to meet at the college’s available classrooms until the lawsuit is resolved. The case has been assigned to Judge Glenn Suddaby of the federal district court in Syracuse, New York, and a decision is expected on the temporary restraining order application before the weekend.

“The church would like the same chance that other groups have to use this room for their meetings,” said Raymond Dague, the Syracuse attorney working with the Alliance Defense Fund representing the church in this application. “Just treat them the same as others who want to rent space, and we’ll be happy. But don’t discriminate against them because of their faith perspective.”

ADF attorneys file suit against school board over policy that allows facility rentals to all but religious groups
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of North Pointe Church against the Broome Community College board of directors and administrators after school officials enforced a policy banning groups that engage in “religious services and observances.” College officials gave the church two weeks’ notice that it was being forced out of its regularly rented facility by March.

“Churches shouldn’t be discriminated against for their beliefs,” said ADF Legal Counsel Tim Chandler. “The courts have long held that public officials cannot say, ‘I’m sorry, but we only rent to non-religious groups here.’ The Constitution prohibits that type of discrimination.” the rest

Complaint in the lawsuit North Pointe Church v. Moppert filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York