Politics & Government

Tish James Says KKK Comment Made 'In Jest'

Council member walks back statement on equal access to city buildings for Ku Klux Klan members.

It's rare in city politics when issues of race, religion and class collide—all in the span of one debate.

But that's exactly what happened last Thursday night at a seemingly innocuous public forum featuring Councilwoman Letitia James, D-Fort Greene, and a Gay City News reporter.

According to the reporter, Andy Humm, at one point during a heated debate about allowing churches to hold services in city-owned buildings, James said organizations like the Ku Klux Klan should have the same freedom to use public spaces as religious groups.

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"They are entitled to equal access," Humm had James saying to the crowd.

However, in a post on The New York Observer's Politicker blog, James said her quip was not to be taken seriously.

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"The comment was made in jest, and apparently, it was taken very seriously by a reporter who obviously was very disappointed in my position regarding allowing access to organizations of faith, who have used and want to continue to use public schools on days that schools are closed," James told Politicker.

The issue of allowing religious groups serving a mix of mostly low-income congregants to use public spaces is a contentious political and legal issue.

Earlier this month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the city would start enforcing a federal court decision banning churches from renting space in public schools for religious worship—even as an appeal on behalf of church groups currently works its way through the lower courts.


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