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.
"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.
"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.
Daniel
5:05 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I am all for the separation of church and state but with schools in need of more funds to help educate their students should we really be preventing religious organizations from renting the empty space?
bpi
12:08 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
She is a clumsy politician. Remember a year ago when she sued the day laborer (making $12,000 a year) because she scratched her leg on his trailer hitch while she was jaywalking? What an opportunist.
BooCooDinkyDowinBrooklyn
1:04 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Amazingly, I had not read anything in the major newspapers about Councilwoman James' comment last Thursday. Frankly, if it had been a white, hispanic or asian politician who made such an alleged statement, you could bet your boots that it would have been headlines - and for weeks to come. Did "Tish" get a pass?
Gregg Hall
7:55 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tish has been an exemplary City Council person, IMHO. She has been there, generally speaking, to stand up for the little guy against a variety of forces, from greedy developers to abusive landlords to indifferent bureaucracies. This is much ado about nothing.
Joe Gonzalez
10:15 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I am against religious groups being allowed to use the public schools for faith services for two reasons. One, the access to the schools will be for select Christian religions and most certainly will not extend to Muslims, Rastafarians, Buddists and other religions. Two, if faith groups are given access why not fraternal groups and other community entities being allowed in? Access is selective and we the people must be watchful of a system that benefits a select few.
Michelle
10:20 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
I think anytime you bring up the KKK you're asking for trouble...especially saying it to a reporter!? Someone needs some media training..
Aja Worthy-Davis
4:01 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
The reporter brought up the KKK, not the Council Member.