Interfaith Alliance Backs Church's Rock Shows

July 4, 2007

Author: CAROL DeMARE

Source: The Times Union

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=603196&category=REGIONOTHER&BCCode=LOCAL&newsdate=7/4/2007

A faith-based group has come out on the side of an Albany church that is attempting to resume its youth rock shows -- programs that the city shut down last summer.

The Interfaith Alliance of New York State wrote Mayor Jerry Jennings expressing concern over the Trinity United Methodist Church issue, saying the action taken by the police and building and codes departments "violates the principle of separation of church and state." Bernard Fleishman, president of the alliance, said in the letter sent to City Hall last week that "besides being a constitutionally protected church activity, the youth music programs make a significant social contribution." On Tuesday, Ed Bloch, the alliance's executive director, said, "We think it's totally inappropriate for the mayor to do what he has done."