Islamic Group Sues Yonkers, Claims Violation Of Religious Rights

YONKERS, N.Y. -- A group of Westchester County Muslims has sued the city of Yonkers claiming, members' civil rights were violated by city officials who don't want to erect a mosque on Grandview Boulevard, according to News 12.

Members of the Islamic Community Center of Mid-Westchester have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Yonkers claiming their religious freedoms have been violated.
Photo Credit: *News 12*

James O'Rourke

09/22/2016 1:30 p.m.

The suit, filed by members of the Islamic Community Center of Mid-Westchester, claims the group was the target of a "smear campaign" and that the city put up “roadblocks” to prevent the mosque from being built, according to News 12.

The federal lawsuit, which is filed against the city, Mayor Mike Spano, the Landmark Preservation Board and members of the City Council, claims the group’s religious freedoms were violated and that the property at 2 Grandview Blvd. was deemed a landmark property in May specifically to prevent the easy construction of a mosque, according to News 12.

In a statement Wednesday, Spano said the city supports the group’s religious freedoms and is ready to “help the Islamic group build a mosque,” according to News 12, which reported that Spano specifically said the group must “adhere to the same rules regarding the landmark designation" as everyone else.

The Islamic group did not specify how much money it is seeking in the lawsuit, according to News 12.

Click here to see the News 12 report.

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