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"It was just this past July when the City Council approved a request from a Christian church to rent space in a small retail center in Kennesaw for their worship services.
Councilmember Cris Eaton-Welsh made the motion to approve the Muslim's request to do the same, but the other four members refused, silently, without debate -- and without comment afterwards...."
Kennesaw City Council rejects mosque proposal
When politicians are quiet and won't discuss or explain their decisions on a controversial issue it is likely to be because they know that their statements will be used against them. The lack of comment is strong evidence that religious bias, or pandering to the community's religious bias, was the motivation for voting against the proposed use.
Update from 12/5:
"Kennesaw may revisit mosque decision
Faced with a possible federal investigation and the threat of a lawsuit, Kennesaw officials may reconsider a decision to block a mosque from operating in a local shopping center.
In the latest in a series of metro Atlanta mosque controversies, the Kennesaw City Council Monday rejected a proposal to allow the mosque, even though the planning commission and city staff recommended approval. The action came after some residents expressed concerns about Muslims worshiping in the area.
Representatives of the mosque say they’ve spoken to the U.S. Department of Justice about what they see as blatant discrimination in violation of federal law. The department has intervened in similar cases across the country, including decisions by Lilburn and Alpharetta to deny mosque expansions. Under federal pressure, those cities ultimately approved the expansions....
“We are reviewing the information provided to us” about the Kennesaw mosque, a Justice Department spokeswoman said.
Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said he does not believe the City Council “intentionally discriminated in any manner.” But he said the council may revisit its decision and will discuss the issue at its Dec. 10 work session...."
Kennesaw may revisit mosque decision | www.ajc.com
Councilmember Cris Eaton-Welsh made the motion to approve the Muslim's request to do the same, but the other four members refused, silently, without debate -- and without comment afterwards...."
Kennesaw City Council rejects mosque proposal
When politicians are quiet and won't discuss or explain their decisions on a controversial issue it is likely to be because they know that their statements will be used against them. The lack of comment is strong evidence that religious bias, or pandering to the community's religious bias, was the motivation for voting against the proposed use.
Update from 12/5:
"Kennesaw may revisit mosque decision
Faced with a possible federal investigation and the threat of a lawsuit, Kennesaw officials may reconsider a decision to block a mosque from operating in a local shopping center.
In the latest in a series of metro Atlanta mosque controversies, the Kennesaw City Council Monday rejected a proposal to allow the mosque, even though the planning commission and city staff recommended approval. The action came after some residents expressed concerns about Muslims worshiping in the area.
Representatives of the mosque say they’ve spoken to the U.S. Department of Justice about what they see as blatant discrimination in violation of federal law. The department has intervened in similar cases across the country, including decisions by Lilburn and Alpharetta to deny mosque expansions. Under federal pressure, those cities ultimately approved the expansions....
“We are reviewing the information provided to us” about the Kennesaw mosque, a Justice Department spokeswoman said.
Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews said he does not believe the City Council “intentionally discriminated in any manner.” But he said the council may revisit its decision and will discuss the issue at its Dec. 10 work session...."
Kennesaw may revisit mosque decision | www.ajc.com