Councilman David G. Greenfield is pleased to learn today that the New York City Commission on Human Rights has settled its lawsuit against Orthodox store owners who were inappropriately targeted for posting signs in their store windows asking customers to abide by their religious-based dress code.
“I am pleased that these small business owners and the Human Rights Commission have come to a reasonable agreement. This was an unfair and unnecessary lawsuit that arbitrarily targeted these businesses while ignoring many others around the city that employ similar dress codes. As I said at the time, this was clearly another example of local government overstepping its authority and unfairly targeting the Orthodox community. I am very relieved that the merchants and the city were able to settle this matter without resorting to a trial,” said Councilman Greenfield.
The signs posted in the store windows simply read, “No shorts; no barefoot; no sleeveless; no low cut necklines; thank you” or something similar and had not been the subject of any formal complaints by the public. Under the settlement, any signs the business owners post must make it clear that while modest dress is requested and appreciated, all members of the public are welcome to enter the store.
After the Human Rights Commission announced its outrageous action against these merchants last year, Councilman Greenfield personally called Chairwoman Patricia Gatling and several other commission members to express how upset the Orthodox Jewish community is with the decision to sue these small business owners for simply asking customers to dress modestly. At the time, Councilman Greenfield requested that each commission member ask the HRC staff to withdraw its lawsuit against the seven store owners, which had been scheduled for a two-day administrative trial this month before the lawsuit was settled.
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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7 Responses
Why hasn’t hikind checked in?
He does understand that he is on the Board of Directors that runs that agency? He should be sponsoring a law to make it clear that a religious minority has the right insist on its lifestyle, since the view of his party is that the government can punish religious minorities for not conforming to the social requirements of the majority.
“Under the settlement, any signs the business owners post must make it clear that while modest dress is requested and appreciated, all members of the public are welcome to enter the store.”
Now wait a minute, how come other stores have signs that say, “no shirt, no shoes, no service” yet we cannot have a similar sign? Unless I am missing something, they should not have caved: “No tzniyus, no service!!!”
“No justice, no tzniyus, no peace” — to paraphrase Al “Not So” Sharpton.
erbatim says:
January 21, 2014 at 2:50 pm
all members of the public as long as they comply with the dress code
it was assumed the sign was saying that some people should not enter and the store was meant for frum people only.
My theroy
Now they should turn around and sue the city for discrimination, since only Jewish businesses are targeted for their dress code, not WASP-y country clubs.
Next time they will sue us for closing on shabbos using the same argument.
Shredready,
If, and that’s a big if, you were able to read and comprehend, you would have noted that there was nothing on the the signs that in any way supports your silly little “theroy” (sic).
Fool.