Richard Dawkins Event Banned by Michigan Country Club
There’s not much to add to this, although I wonder if the owner is a Republican.
There’s not much to add to this, although I wonder if the owner is a Republican.
6 comments
1 | Vicious Babushka Tue, Oct 11, 2011 6:22:11am |
It’s a private venue, I guess they can decide which events they want to host or which kind of people (the not-Black, not-Brown, not-Jewish kind) they want to admit as members.
2 | Jimmah Tue, Oct 11, 2011 6:42:47am |
Although privately owned, The Wyndgate facilities are open to the public for special events and occasions. According to Title II of the Federal Civil Rights Law of 1964, “open to the public” means “all persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.”After learning of the owner’s last-minute refusal to allow Dawkins to speak, CFI–Michigan asked the owner to reconsider his position, but this attempt to resolve the issue amicably was met with silence. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, will now be held at a different venue.
“It’s important to understand that discrimination based on a person’s religion—or lack thereof—is legally equivalent to discriminating against a person because of his or her race,” said Jeff Seaver, executive director of CFI–Michigan. “This action by The Wyndgate illustrates the kind of bias and bigotry that nonbelievers encounter all the time. It’s exactly why organizations like CFI and the Richard Dawkins Foundation are needed: to help end the stigma attached to being a nonbeliever.”
3 | CuriousLurker Tue, Oct 11, 2011 7:46:53am |
I wonder if they’ll take the country club to court? It sounds like they have a strong case if they choose to do it.
4 | SpaceJesus Tue, Oct 11, 2011 12:12:19pm |
huh. i’ve never heard of a case where a non-citizen brought a claim under the civil rights act before. doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist or that it’s fatal.