Press Information – For Immediate Release
July 23, 2010
Contact:
Mark Zaccaria, Candidate – 401.294.3191
Parker Lacoste, Campaign Manager – 401.742.9889
Zaccaria Urges Democrats to Oppose Suit
NORTH KINGSTOWN – Friday, Republican Mark Zaccaria, candidate for Congress in the Second Congressional District, called on fellow Republican and Democratic leaders to call for the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed by the Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against a Cranston School District concerning a mural that promotes citizenship, honesty and generosity.
“What has become of this country when an innocuous banner which asks students to strive to do their best somehow infringes on someone’s Constitutional rights?” asked Zaccaria. “The ACLU is bullying a school district into striking down a banner that is grounded in faith and encourages students to be good citizens through action and humility. This is an abomination and a cynical use of the courts to no useful end.”
The complaint was filed by the mother of a student who attended an event at Cranston High School West. The mural has been displayed in the hallway for half a century.
Zaccaria said the salutation and valediction are totally proper and do not compel any student to follow a religious belief or any other spiritual path. He said all elected leaders in the state should call upon the ACLU, its board to ask they pull their lawsuit so the school board, its teacher, parents and students can return this fall without fear of spending thousands of dollars in legal fees.
The Cranston School Board, like many others in the state, faces a $6 million budget shortfall.
Zaccaria said the worst part of the lawsuit is that the plaintiff doesn’t even attend the school.
“Whose rights are being violated?” asked Zaccaria. “Apparently, the only people upset are the lawyers who are eager to make a case to placate a narrow-minded group whose whole purpose in life is to destroy the fabric of the country.”
Mark Zaccaria is a resident of North Kingstown, RI, where he runs a small business. He and his wife, Ruth, have been married for 35 years. They have three grown children who are all residents of the state. Learn more about Mark’s candidacy for congress at the web site: www.zaccariaforuscongress.com
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Download a copy of this press release: Zaccaria Urges Democrats to Oppose Suit
