Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband on Federal Court's Religious Liberty Ruling Concerning New York City and New York State

Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division issued the following statement in response to the federal court ruling today regarding religious liberty in New York City and New York State:

"Today’s federal court decision is a win for religious freedom and the civil liberties of New Yorkers. Government cannot discriminate by protecting free speech and the right to assemble while threatening or limiting religious exercise – it must protect all rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. The court’s decision is consistent with positions and arguments made by the United States Department of Justice in similar filings and letters, including in New York City and elsewhere around the country. The Department of Justice will continue to support people of faith who seek equal treatment against threats and actions by public officials who discriminate against them because of their religion. The Constitution and our oath to defend and protect it require nothing less."

The federal case is Soos et al., v. Cuomo et al., No. 1:20-cv-651 (N.D.N.Y).

The court opinion can be found here https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dist.-Ct.-Memo-and-Order-June-26-2020.pdf. The department's previous statement on religious concerns in New York City can be found here https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-assistant-attorney-general-eric-dreiband-and-us-attorney-matthew-schneider-new-york.