New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms explained

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms
Type:501(c)(4) non-profit
Founded Date:1983
Location:Spencerport, New York
Key People:Jason J. McGuire (Executive Director)
Area Served:New York
Focus:Christian conservative political advocacy
Homepage:NYFamilyAction.org

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYCF) is a non-profit Christian conservative political advocacy group in the state of New York. In March 2024, the organization became known as New York Families Action.

History

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms was founded in 1983. NYCF's educational arm, New Yorker's Family Research Foundation, was formed in 1990.[1] NYCF is a conservative[2] [3] [4] statewide advocacy organization of evangelical Christians.[5]

NYCF was active in opposition to same-sex marriage in New York, which was legalized by the Marriage Equality Act in 2011. After the Act was passed, NYCF set up a "Courage Fund" to "assist courageous municipal clerks and other people of conscience in New York State who oppose same-sex 'marriage' from harassment, denial of rightful promotion, or unfair termination for invoking New York State law protecting their sincerely-held religious beliefs".[6] After Barker town clerk Laura Fotusky resigned rather than be forced to sign same-sex marriage licenses, NYCF pledged to match the $25,000 salary she gave up in resigning.[6] On July 25, 2011, NYCF filed a lawsuit seeking to enjoin the enforcement of the Marriage Equality Act; the suit alleged violations of the law in the process by which the bill was passed.[7] On November 18, 2011, Acting Supreme Court Justice Robert B. Wiggins allowed the plaintiffs' claims under the Open Meetings Law, but dismissed other portions of the case.[8] On July 6, 2012, a five-judge panel of the Appellate Division ruled unanimously that no violation of the Open Meetings Law had occurred and dismissed the suit.[9] The New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, declined to hear an appeal.[10]

In March 2015, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum spoke at a NYCF lobby day in Albany.[11] [12]

NYCF opposed the passage of a 2019 abortion rights law known as the Reproductive Health Act,[13] [14] [15] lobbying against the legislation for 12 years.[16] The organization is also notable for its opposition to the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act[17] [18] [19] and to assisted suicide.[20] [21]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NYCF pushed back against pandemic restrictions on religious gatherings[22] [23] and urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reopen the New York State Capitol to public access.[24]

In October 2022, NYCF and 25 churches filed a lawsuit alleging that the Concealed Carry Improvement Act, a New York gun control law, unconstitutionally deprived New Yorkers of the right to defend themselves while attending church services.[25] [26]

In March 2024, the organization became known as New York Families Action.[27]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History . nyfamilyaction.org. December 8, 2024.
  2. News: Why New York could be the next abortion battleground . politico.com . Reisman . Nick. November 8, 2023.
  3. News: Alesi on tap for new NY post . democratandchronicle.com . Spector . Joseph . June 19, 2017.
  4. News: Churches challenge New York's ban on guns in sensitive locations . spectrumlocalnews.com. Reisman . Nick . October 5, 2022.
  5. News: Cruz hopes evangelical roots will bolster his New York campaign. buffalonews.com. Precious . Tom . April 6, 2016.
  6. News: Cuomo: Clerks Against Same-Sex Marriage "Don't Get to Pick and Choose". wnyc.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20120122113956/http://www.wnyc.org/articles/its-free-country/2011/jul/21/clerks-who-object-licensing-same-sex-weddings-dont-get-pick-and-choose/ . January 22, 2012.
  7. News: Gay Marriage Foes File Suit to Overturn New York Wedding Law . bloomberg.com . Freifeld . Karen . Deprez . Esme . July 25, 2011.
  8. News: Judge Says Lawsuit Against Gay Marriage Law in New York May Proceed . The New York Times . Thomas . Kaplan . November 29, 2011.
  9. News: Court Rejects Argument Against Gay Marriage Bill. The New York Times. Kaplan . Thomas . July 6, 2012.
  10. News: Lovett. Ken. Court of Appeals refuses to hear gay marriage appeal. October 23, 2012. Metro Weekly. October 23, 2012.
  11. News: Rick Santorum: N.Y. fracking ban 'disappointing' . democratandchronicle.com . Campbell . Jon . March 17, 2015.
  12. News: Video: Santorum promotes conservative message . saratogian.com. July 22, 2021.
  13. News: Abortion laws in New York: How they changed with the Reproductive Health Act . democratandchronicle.com. Spector . Joseph . Campbell. Jon . January 23, 2019.
  14. News: Cuomo Bucks Tide With Bill to Ease Limits on Abortion. The New York Times. Kaplan . Thomas . February 16, 2013.
  15. News: Key NY senator: It's time to put aside abortion fight to save women's rights bill . syracuse.com. June 13, 2013.
  16. Web site: Abortion expansion in New York . wng.org . Belz. Emily . January 23, 2019.
  17. News: Andrew Cuomo to ban transgender discrimination in New York state . theguardian.com. Walters . Joanna . October 23, 2015.
  18. News: NY Legislature OKs transgender rights bill, GENDA, after years-long effort. auburnpub.com . Harding . Robert . January 16, 2019.
  19. News: POLITICO New York Playbook, presented by PhRMA: PREET bails out — CHELSEA, changed — CUOMO's transgender rights push . politico.com . October 23, 2015.
  20. News: Evangelicals host Albany lobby day . legislativegazette.com. Wells. Daniel. March 28, 2017.
  21. News: State's highest court rules there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide . legislativegazette.com. Gormley. James. September 7, 2017.
  22. News: New York Churches Don't Want To Be Among The Last To Reopen . wskg.org . Dewitt . Karen . May 19, 2020.
  23. News: Churches will be the last places to reopen in NY, alongside stadiums, concert halls . syracuse.com . Baker . Chris . May 18, 2020.
  24. Web site: Viewpoint: New York must reopen the Capitol to the public . ctinsider.com . McGuire . Jason . May 5, 2021.
  25. News: Churches challenge New York's ban on guns in sensitive locations . spectrumlocalnews.com. Reisman . Nick . October 5, 2022.
  26. News: Churches File Federal Suit Against State Gun Law . post-journal.com . Whittaker . John . October 11, 2022.
  27. Web site: New York Christian Advocacy Organization Announces New Name . nyfamilyaction.org. March 28, 2024.

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