The following is a News 12 article:
A controversial plan to double the size of the Hassidic community of Kiryas Joel is under legal scrutiny as questions are raised about whether the deal is constitutional.
Daniel Richmond, attorney for anti-annexation group United Monroe, says political districts that are defined by a particular religious group cannot be created under the U.S. Constitution. He says this is exactly what will happen if Kiryas Joel is allowed to double in size.
The growing population of more than 20,000 people in the Kiryas Joel community desperately needs more room. The concern raised by Richmond and United Monroe is that the community is exclusive to the Satmar Hassidic religious group, who historically vote in a block.
Richmond submitted a letter last week to the Town of Monroe, saying if the board voted “yes” to give Kiryas Joel 507 acres of land, it would be violating the First Amendment Establishment Clause of Separation of Church and State.
Monroe officials did not want to comment on the letter or about the constitutionality of the proposal, but town board member Dan Burke said, “For months United Monroe has been saying it is not about religion. Now it is about religion.”
Kiryas Joel officials did not return News 12’s calls for comment. The land deal is currently on hold during a state review.
(Source: News 12)
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7 Responses
These United Monroe guys are a bunch of good old-fashioned anti-Semites. They are effectively saying that KJ can’t expand since KJ is all Jewish.
Who says they are Jewish. As far as I know, in the USA it doesnt say your religion on your passport or social security card. Anyone can dress a certain way & no town is “Jewish”
To United Monroe, could any Village in New York State who’s residence are all(or 99%)Christians expand and annex land from the Town or does this Constitution issue only apply to KJ
boggle #2: It is the anti-Semites in United Monroe that says they’re Jewish. United Monroe is specifically saying KJ shouldn’t be allowed to expand because they are Jewish.
There are a lot of Jews in Monroe who dont want the annexation.
There is nothing anti-Semitic about objecting to land annexation – or rather land grab. It is a matter of the abuse of one community – and it could be a Christian one, or a cult, or a radical group – wanting to take over another area, ignoring the predefined borders of their own town. I refer you to the town of Antelope Oregon about twenty years ago when a cult imposed it’s will on all the inhabitants. This was eventually stopped by some concerned residents who contacted the state police who were brought in to restore constitutional order
Respects other people’s right to have a say in their town. You can’t just take land away from people.