Civic

Immigrants Become Citizens on July 4

July 5, 2002

Source: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/77353_citizen05.shtml

On July 5, 2002 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that this fourth of July in Seattle, "311 immigrants from 65 countries celebrated becoming American citizens at the Ethnic Heritage Council's 18th annual naturalization ceremony... The event drew hundreds more spectators and a long list of speakers,...

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Anti-Semitic Pamphlets Distributed in Boston Suburbs

July 4, 2002

Source: The Boston Globe

On July 4, 2002 The Boston Globe reported that "literature espousing views that are racist and anti-Semitic was tossed on lawns and driveways by unknown people" in five Massachusetts towns north of Boston. "The literature, which included a pamphlet and a booklet, carried the name of the World Church of the Creator, a white supremacist group based in Illinois... Bedford police... Chief James Hicks said... "A lot of it was picked up by officers and thrown in dumpsters. [But,] I'm sure there is more out there.'"

Muslim Advocacy Group Backs Jewish and Muslim Police Deputies Fighting Uniform Policy

July 3, 2002

Source: The Council on American-Islamic Relations

On July 3, 2002 The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a press release "condemning a decision by Illinois' Cook County Sheriff's Department to strip police powers from an Orthodox Jewish deputy after he refused to remove his yarmulke, or religious skullcap, while on duty... The Washington-based Islamic advocacy group says it has offered to take up the case of the Jewish deputy, who was reassigned to clerical duties one day after CAIR offered public support for a Muslim deputy who is being...

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Appeals Court Rules "Under God" in Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional

July 3, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On July 3, 2002, the Los Angeles Times reported that last week's two U.S. court rulings concerning religion in the public square demonstrate the strong "disagreements over the relationship between God and public life in America... First, a federal appeals court ruled that religion could not be part of a daily ritual of public school life... The next day, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious schools could receive public school dollars... The Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of the Washington-based Interfaith...

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Appeals Court Rules "Under God" in Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional

June 30, 2002

Source: Statesman Journal

http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=44359.

On June 30, 2002, the Statesman Journal of Salem, Oregon featured an article on the recent Pledge of Allegiance ruling. "The decision created instant furor, in part because the pledge is an American icon. But it may have just as much to do with people’s relationship with God — or lack thereof... In America, God means different...

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FBI Director Speaks at American Muslim Council's Convention

June 29, 2002

Source: Los Angeles Times

On June 29, 2002 the Los Angeles Times reported that "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III thanked Muslim Americans on Friday for providing 'substantive assistance' to the government investigation of the Sept. 11 attacks... In a controversial appearance before the American Muslim Council, Mueller noted that some people associated with the group have made statements in the past that were supportive of terrorism... But the FBI director said the organization has moved into the mainstream of American life and that 'we must all be...

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Church in New York State Sponsors Muslim Refugee Family

June 29, 2002

Source: The Buffalo News

On June 29, 2002 The Buffalo News reported that various congregations in Western New York State "have come to the aid of refugees from some of the most dangerous parts of the world to assist them as they start a new life in the area... St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church... in the Town of Tonawanda recently heeded the call when it sponsored a four-member family from Bosnia. The church was expecting a Christian family, but the family is Muslim... 'As Christians we are all called to love all people, regardless of background...

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Appeals Court Rules "Under God" in Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional

June 28, 2002

Source: The Washington Post

On June 28, 2002, The Washington Post reported that "even as a court ruled that it is illegal for school children to recite a Pledge of Allegiance that mentions God - and then swiftly put an indefinite hold on that decision - Virginia schools are preparing to quietly welcome Him into every foyer... Starting Monday, every Virginia school will be required to hang a poster with the words 'In God We Trust, the National Motto, enacted by Congress in 1956,' in accordance with a law signed by Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) in May...

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Greek Orthodox Church Files Discrimination Suit Against Wisconsin Town

June 28, 2002

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On June 28, 2002 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that "SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee, seeking an injunction ordering [the city of] New Berlin [Wisconsin] to allow it to build a church... The lawsuit... alleges that the church was denied the exercise of its religion and that city officials are liable for any violation of constitutional rights... The church, attended by 450 families, planned to use the land in New Berlin to build a $10 million...

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Supreme Court Approves Vouchers for Religious Schools

June 28, 2002

Source: The New York Times

On June 28, 2002, The New York Times featured an editorial by Jeffrey Rosen, a professor at George Washington University Law School, that finds the Supreme Court's ruling to uphold neutrality and balance the opposing political views. "In a welcome decision, the court upheld a public program in Cleveland that financed vouchers that could be used in religious or secular, public or private schools. In doing so, it embraced a healthy vision of religious neutrality... Embracing the Supreme Court's moderate compromise - requiring...

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Northern Virginian Muslim Women Profiled as Local Leader

June 28, 2002

Source: Observer News

http://www.observernews.com/stories/current/news/062802/omar.shtml

On June 28, 2002 Observer News of Northern Virginia featured a profile of Manal Omar, who lives in Reston and who grew up in Northern Virginia after her parents emigrated from Palestine. Manal is "an economic researcher at the World Bank.. [and a] vocal advocate of women's rights... Her interest in locally based advocacy has brought her...

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FBI Director Speaks at American Muslim Council's Convention

June 28, 2002

Source: The Washington Times

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020629-33455225.htm

On June 28, 2002, The Washington Times reported that "FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III yesterday encouraged the American Muslim Council to cooperate with the FBI to prevent future terrorist attacks... In a speech in Alexandria... Mr. Mueller — the keynote speaker for the group's 11th annual meeting — called on the members 'as Americans to continue working with us to defeat...

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Supreme Court Approves Vouchers for Religious Schools

June 28, 2002

Source: The Houston Chronicle

On June 28, 2002 The Houston Chronicle reported that "the Supreme Court approved the use of tax-funded vouchers for religious school tuition." This decision could reshape "the symbolic line between church and state and... the parameters of public school financing... In a 5-4 decision, the bitterly divided justices declared constitutional the 6-year-old tuition voucher program for low-income students in the troubled Cleveland Municipal School District... The court's conservative majority said the use of vouchers...

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Appeals Court Rules "Under God" in Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional

June 28, 2002

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

http://www.au.org/press/pr062602.htm

On June 28, 2002 the Americans United for Separation of Church and State reported that their Executive Director, Rev. Barry W. Lynn... said the court decision reflects an appropriate concern for the religious liberty rights of all Americans... 'America is an incredibly diverse country with some 2,000 different religions and...

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