Most Americans have no idea how severely imperiled the freedom of speech really is. I discuss in detail in my new book The Complete Infidel’s Guide to Free Speech (and Its Enemies). But as this fundamental freedom slips away, most people don’t even care. Look: Kardashians!
“Court: Residents Can’t Mention ‘Islam’ or ‘Muslim’ At Public Hearing on Mosque Construction; Thomas More Law Center Files Federal Lawsuit,” Thomas More Law Center, August 1, 2017:
ANN ARBOR, MI – In a settlement agreement, which reads more like an instrument of surrender, Bernards Township (“Township”), New Jersey officials agreed that, in addition to a $3.5 million payment to Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“ISBR”), residents and citizens of the Township are prohibited from commenting on “Islam” or “Muslims.” at the upcoming public hearing to approve the settlement. Astonishingly, a federal judge approved the prohibition as a fully enforceable Order of the Court.
As a result of this suppression of speech, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday, filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court on behalf of Christopher and Loretta Quick. The lawsuit was filed by TMLC affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak. Mr. Hrycak was assisted by TMLC staff attorney, Tyler Brooks. The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge.
TMLC’s lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township’s settlement agreement constitutes a prior restraint on speech based on content, as well as, a violation of the Establishment Clause because it prefers Islam over other religions. The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional; and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement….
The Quicks reside within 200 feet of the proposed mosque construction in a zoned residential area. Yet, the settlement agreement prohibits them from describing the many unique features of Islamic worship which will impact design of the building, traffic density, water and sewage, traffic control problems, road construction, and parking arrangements. According to the settlement agreement, ISBR is permitted to make statements concerning Christians and Jews and their places of worship, but in contrast, the Agreement prohibits commentary relating to Islam or Muslims. In fact, ISBR has previously discussed the Christian and Jewish religions and their places of worship.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “As we have previously documented, ISBR has taken the extraordinary step of concealing significant links on their website to a radical group named by the federal government as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in America history, the Islamic Society of North America (“ISNA”). ISNA is claimed by the Muslim Brotherhood as one of “our organizations.” According to internal documents seized by the FBI, the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy is to engage in a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within . . .”
Thompson continued, “While claiming that the Township had a religious animus against Muslims, ISBR hid from the public view its animus toward Christians and Jews, by not only hiding anti-Christian and anti-Semitic verses published on its website, but also hiding its significant ties to ISNA. Instead of standing up to defend its citizens against ISBR’s hate-filled anti-Semitic and anti-Christian bias, the Township colluded with ISBR’s “Civilization Jihad” by capitulating to payment of millions of dollars to ISBR, allowing the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center in violation of zoning codes, and now even suppressing speech concerning Islam or Muslims at a public meeting.”
In March 2016, ISBR filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure. And in November 2016, the United States represented by the U. S. Justice Department filed a second lawsuit against the Township on similar grounds. The settlement agreement covers both lawsuits….
Angel Gabriel says
An entire town is muzzled by the leftist speech-police. This is 100% against the First Amendment and they should sue. Surrendering speech is the first step to authoritarianism. They need to fight it in court.
Angel Gabriel says
Edit: Glad to see they are fighting it!
John Forbes says
The US PEOPLE need to turn up at these things in huge numbers & openly defy nonsense like this & keep doing it ! The IDIOTS in power cannot arrest everyone!
Then JUST KEEP at this at every announcement like this until it becomes a huge issue & the MEDIA cannot ignore these issues !!
Lawrence Deans says
That judge should be removed from the bench as well.
Mark Dietzler says
Sorry, they need to do more than sue, they need to show up in large numbers and dare the township to arrest them all for using the forbidden terms.
Americans used to react quite forcefully when government intentionally and with malice stepped on their rights. They need to again.
Sharon says
Yes Everyone Go .
bring signs @about the deathcult.how dare they ,we don’t want Muslim here.Deport.
.#banislam
Mike says
I AGREE BROTHER! I JUST HOPE THAT THE TOWNSHIP NEVER PAYS A DIME FOR TRYING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THAT OUTRAGEOUS CONSTRUCTION.
gravenimage says
Exactly, AG.
Jim Conch says
Who is this judge anyway? Is he a legitimate member of the judicial branch of our government? Maybe he’s a plant and needs to be outed. There can no such thing as prohibiting someone to mention the name of a religion, at least not in the USA that I know.
Ann says
probably an Obama appointed judge
brenrod says
this is what happens when muslims are allowed into a nation in larger numbers.
AuthorLee says
It is past time to start impeaching liberal idiot judges. Wish we had a patriot Senate and House to do so.
I agree, it is time for mass protests chanting the forbidden words.
Robert Crawford says
“Mohammedism” and “Mohamedans” are suitable substitutes. Other euphemisms won’t be as polite.
Jaladhi says
I bet these courts will be quick enough to squash using Mohammadans!
Ian Hoffa says
Use “the religion we cannot speak of”. Everyone will understand.
Laura says
“the Religion of Perpetual Outrage” would be more apropos.
gravenimage says
“He who cannot be named”–check out the Harry Potter books for the reference.
Proud Canadian Infidel says
It is what it is. Hell, even their flying child raping sky wizard is an intolerant savage promoting lying and killing.
What’s not to be “islamophobic” about when they really are killing you?
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JawsV says
Musselmen and mosk.
mortimer says
Islam is mainly a political ideology. It is legal to mention political ideology. That is political science.
If a group of communists or neo-Nazis wanted a building permit, would the judge say, ‘Do not mention fascist or communist?’
Obviously not. There is no way the judge is right to ban the word ‘Muslim’ or ‘Islam’ from discussing a proposed mosque.
gravenimage says
It is legal to mention religion, as well. The actions of this judge are illegal.
Mark Swan says
Even if the ruling is overturned, these Muslims will probably pursue this.
Ren says
This is exactly why islam is incompatible with western democracy: islam does not condone freedom of speech.
StacyGirl says
This is exactly why leftist judges are incompatible with our Constitution. They should be impeached. In the meantime, attend the hearing and use the words muslim and Islam liberally. Our breach of their edict is the freedom our forefathers died to insure.
Ren says
Judges that are incompatible with our Constitution should resign, period. They are put to enforce laws that originate from the Constitution, not to circumvent them.
Kepha says
They won’t resign. They need to be impeached by legislatures and removed.
While we’re at it, maybe these New Jerseyans should say, “the wonderful, peace-loving people who brought us 9-11 and endless delays at airports [and I am not a “Troofer”]…”
Mark Swan says
Absolutely Ren and StacyGirl, these Ivy league university graduates, who become judges,
bring with them the mindset of above and beyond the law swells who feel they know best,
regardless of the law and its purpose and intent.
They and many un-scrupulous lawyers are enabling real harm to America‘s freedom.
vlparker says
Exactly right.
Jaladhi says
What a disgusting development in this country. We complain about Canadians surrendering Muslims and look now who is doing the same thing! Aren’t these judges ashamed of themselves not upholding american values? Who appointed these judges – any clues??
Westman says
The Islamic jackhammer approach to possession is a barrage of aggression, evaluate the response, if favorable, then begin the barrage from the new vantage point. If the response is unfavorable, claim victimhood, until some concession is gained, then begin the barrage again.
One only needs to view Muslim countries to know that when the unbelievers have been exhausted, Islam turns on itself. Two never-failing consistencies of Islam are aggression and finding offense in others.
Warmac9999 says
Eventually, injustice is handled outside the legal process. A judge is not a god and a law is not sacred text.
gravenimage says
There is nothing wrong with our civilized laws–just their being flouted by creeps like this “judge”.
Mark Swan says
Absolutely gravenimage.
gravenimage says
Thanks, Mark.
billybob says
This is actually wonderful news! These peoples are true patriots. The issues being brought forward are right squarely on the money. The plaintiffs should set up a Go Fund Me site, and hundreds of thousands of dollars should be raised to take these issues all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
gravenimage says
Yes–great to see that they are fighting this!
John A Marre says
This country was founded by people escaping the establishment of religion. Looks like the same country is rushing towards the establishment of Islam as the official religion.
somehistory says
The obese governor would say this is all .c..p, but he wouldn’t mean it as moslums or the judges ruling in their favor…unconstitutionally…c..p. From past statements, it is clear that he has supported this kind of thing.
How will he feel about a Federal lawsuit taking place against a city in *his* state? One that affects his good friends, the moslums that are attempting…with the judges help…to impose their unlawful code of unholy conduct?
The Thomas More Law Center better win. A lot is at stake.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
The events leading up to this case are explained well neither in this Jihad Watch article nor in the linked-to press release https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basking_Ridge%2C_New_Jersey . But presumably the whole story can be pieced together from the two links in the latter, “Read TMLC’s entire Federal Complaint here.” and “Read the entire Settlement Agreement and Court Order here.”.
This makes a good exercise in Court Reporting 101. If someone wants to take up the challenge, your presentation of the detailed background of this case will have eager readers.
thomas says
To review the Mosque’s initial zoning lawsuit, see this website: http://www.becketlaw.org/case/islamicsocietybaskingridge/
This website includes the district court opinion that compelled a settlement.
Voytek Gagalka says
OK, then. Call Muslims as MOHAMMEDANS and Islam with some other but clever substitute. Use your imagination which, I am certain, that court did not even foresee in its stupid “ruling” on what words can or cannot be used.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Hello Voytek Gagalka and others. The Quick-Complaint says that the Settlement prohibits (point 67) “commentary regarding Islam or Muslims”, not the use of specific words. Thus, synonyms like “Mohammedanism” and “Mahoundians” offer no way to escape this provision.
Also, point 28 says “After ISBR submits the Site Plan to the Township, the Township has twenty days to review it; the Township, however, must provide any comments regarding the Site Plan to ISBR on or before the tenth day of this twenty-day period.” How does this differ from having “ten days to review it”?
gravenimage says
Grimly true, Mark.
And watery complaints about traffic or parking are really beside the point.
dfddsffdfdsfdsfdsfd says
This is very disturbing indeed. This is clearly an attempt to elevate Islam and Muslims above others on society. The judge’s decision constitutes an attempt to violate the constitution.
brane pilot says
Wait until the amplified howling 5 times a day, starting at 5 AM every morning.
Sorry, my racism is showing.
That amplified 5 AM howling is protected free speech.
Criticism of the howling is forbidden.
Carolyne says
That isn’t racism. Islam is not a race. But this is a disturbance of the peace to hear that caterwauling five times a day. If I want to hear a camel squawk, I’ll buy one.
gravenimage says
Carolyne, brane pilot is being sarcastic.
traci94 says
WTH?? They can’t mention Muslim or Islam when talking about a Mosque? Things are getting worse by the day.
Phil says
President Trump needs to appoint the 100 Federal judges that are in these lower courts. ASAP
Barbara Paolucci says
The NJ court’s order is illegal because it limits free speech. Why isn’t someone there fighting the order?
Why isn’t someone checking out the judge’s finances? Seems to me that someone has been paid off.
gravenimage says
Yes–this *is* an illegal ruling.
Mark Swan says
“Thomas More Law Center filed a lawsuit—in the New Jersey Federal District Court.”
“The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional;
and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement.”
Who knows who else may step in here—hopefully all well intentioned legal assistance.
gravenimage says
Excellent news, Mark!
Ahab DeArab says
Sure glad the property they want to build on used to be a pig farm. If they ever build them Mu-ham-mad-ens will have nightmares and not even realize why they are having visions of hell.
Proud Canadian Infidel says
Lol. Let’s hope it’s more than “visions of hell” that curse these savage monsters.
I’m not a religious person but when it comes to these hostile intolerant muslim child raping savages I pray real bad unfortunates happen to them here in reality, forall good people to witness.
gravenimage says
New Jersey: Court forbids residents to mention “Islam” or “Muslim” at public hearing on mosque construction
………………….
“Newspeak” in action. What ugly insanity.
rubiconcrest says
Donate to the Thomas Moore Law Center so they can continue their good work.
gravenimage says
+1
Troybeam says
Free speech is in danger in America, not just by Islam but our own judicial system. Judges that are left leaning and those who know squat about Islam are disregarding the 1st Amendment.
Each and every judge that allows suppression of speech should be disbarred and removed from the judges seat.
These judges also are not upholding the 6th Amendment: no other legal/judicial except the Constitution can operate inside America:Thanks to democrat president Lyndon B. Johnson who disregarded the 6th amendment we now have an issue with Islam: a theocracy with its own legal system for Muslims only.
Yes people, Islam’s legal system called SHARIA LAW: not a religious practice: it is Islam’s law that governs Muslims only.
A NATION CANNOT HAVE 2 SETS OF LEGAL SYSTEMS: ONE FOR MUSLIMS AND ONE FOR EVERYONE ELSE. Time to change the status of Islam in our nation and remove it by declaring that by its manner & sharia law system and Islam as a government in its self must be removed as its a threat to our culture, history and our nation as a whole.
Proud Canadian Infidel says
Wow. What a crazy world, government courts forbidding free speech and/or comments of disgust and anger of the world’s most intolerant aggressive and murderous child raping cult called islam?
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Rrddbb says
WTH has happened to this country??
Guest says
That is illegal
Jack Aderall says
What the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge is doing is illegal. They have no grounds over what can be discussed in public space. It is owned by the state, and maintained by our tax dollars. The fact that they forbid the use of mentioning simple religion or race is an act against the constitution and the separation of church and state.
The state needs to get their heads back in the game and sue the ISBR for bigotry, just as they did them.
Arthur says
Hello, I’m looking for the planet Earth. I am from Earth.
What planet is this????
How do I get back to Earth??????
Lor says
Ha, ha. Good one Arthur!!!! People are also saying “hello, I am German and looking for my country.
What country is this?
How do I get back to the Germany that was before Fall 2015?
Kepha says
bibu-bibu, bibu-bibu, biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii [Twilight Zone music]>
Greetings, Earthman. Welcome to Planet Liberal.
Warren Raymond says
New Jersey, isn’t that the realm of Kriss Krissy, the Obama fetishist who relies heavily on the Muslim vote and adores Brice Springsteen, a fellow Moonbat?
Lor says
If the Muslim community wants to make friends and build bridges with this community this is not the way to go about it. People – some people – are slowly waking up.
Why not gather your friends and neighbors, go to the public meeting and defy this bogus order and ALL speak your minds!!!!!!!!!
Wellington says
Governor Chris Christie, among so many others, will not realize the true importance at stake here. Wish he would but count on it that he won’t. After all, per Christie, all this stuff about Sharia is crap and there is no need to hear anymore about it.
Christie is just a small part of “the problem.” A much greater part of “the problem” is the ignorance of the American judiciary (as evidenced here) which is, by and large, massively uninformed respecting what the Islamic faith intends for all of America (for all the world for that matter).
Yes, I am fully behind freedom of religion but I am also fully behind accurate characterization. This, for American constitutional and legal purposes, translates into Islam and its practice being protected by the First Amendment but in no way does this mean it should be respected or regarded as benign——-nor should anyone be silenced (as here) to speak about it. Ditto for Nazism, the KKK and Marxism, among so many other errors of mankind, which freedom should allow (within limits) but never coddle or make excuses for.
The chief problem remains, i.e., not the banning of Islam, which is neither necessary nor constitutional, but rather the extraordinary (and stupid) hesitancy by so many in America and all the West to identify the Islamic faith as a negative, as a mortal threat to the best which the West has created, which the Islamic world has never done and never will. I am, of course, talking about freedom here. Yes I am. And freedom does not require the suicide of freedom in order to preserve it. Islam is very much for such a suicide. It parasitically desires this most definitely (and with deceptiveness aplenty).
In fact, it’s counting on it.
Matthieu Baudin says
“… The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge…”
The TMLC are putting themselves on the line financially as they’ll potentially be up against a pipeline of grubby funds to the other side.
Anne Smith says
I am sure that is true, the oil funds from SA which are busy paying for mosques all over Britain (rather than helping to rehouse Muslim refugees in their own country) will most likely help pay for actions such as this.
Lydia says
Why would they want to ban these words? Who are they protecting?
I will not let anyone muzzle me. I know my rights and I will exercise them!
Jayell says
So, for example, a company wishing to build a chemical plant in an area against the wishes of the locals could ban objectors referring to ‘pollution’ or ‘contamination’ even though these considerations would be clearly highly relevant and maybe the company in question has previously made exactly the same references against rival companies without question? In that situation it would be so blatantly obvious that something stinks that there’s no way they’d be allowed to get away with it. So why would THIS be allowed to be an exception?
Pal says
American Muslim Activist Sekou Odinga: Minorities and Immigrant Communities in the U.S. Have the Right to Armed Struggle and Self-Determination
https://www.memri.org/tv/american-muslim-activist-odinga-armed-struggle-in-u.s./transcript
davej says
They will build a Mosque 200′ from your door in a residential neighborhood and prevent you from even contesting it.
This is the frightening new order under which free speech is quashed, property rights abolished and the new Naziis are welcomed to town.
Wake up America.
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
I’m not American but I believe this would not stand a challenge from your First Amendment. It seems like the US has a problem with politicized judges. Either that or inept judges are being appointed.
Anne Smith says
I was under the impression that people voted for Donald Trump to be President of the United States as they believed he would stand up for the true principles of the American Constitution.
I do hope he has been made aware of this very worrying situation.
Tony says
lets see, you cannot mention :muslim,” or “islam”,, then how about saying something like this
I would like to state my opposition to the building of the satanically inspired building called a mosque.
WFC says
Then say the building that will house the “Christian Heresy”
Screeminmeeme says
The Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves.
Truth says
This judge should be impeached. To hell with Koranimals.
Kiki says
Suppression of free-speech isn’t okay. I’m glad there’s a lawsuit against the order. I don’t think any “order” would keep the citizens from using whichever words they wanted, anyway.
staffsgt7 says
And if any American obeys such an ‘order’ is just as much a problem as the fascists who give such an order. Shame on any American for obeying such an order.
ANGB says
The judge is wrong. To ban the use of Islam and muslim….when a MOSQUE is the issue is…ridiculous! Mosques aren’t a Jewish or Christian place of worship. THEY ARE MUSLIM.
HATE SPEECH LAWS are the beginning of Sharia Law being IMPOSED on non-muslims! Laws are to be enforced EQUALLY and they MUST apply them too! They curse our country, all other religions, CALL FOR OUR DEATHS and the over throw of our country. Men, women and children FALL VICTIM to their hatred and violence but….they are always mentally ill and not responsible so they walk. This is DISCRIMINATION and we MUST START SCREAMING THAT! The left got laws passed to use against us…and it’s time to turn the table on them and use those VERY LAWS…to push them back!
In 1952 our Congress recognized that Islam is INCOMPATIBLE with our Constitution and it was BANNED from entry into the USA. That of course was before untold amounts of Middle East money POURED into our out of control, corrupted government. In 2018 we must start TAKING OUT THE TRASH and take BACK our Congress piece by piece, step by step. Time to drain the sewer.
UNCLE VLADDI says
As I have to keep saying for some strange, unexplained, leftopathic reason…
Any and all legislators, judges, and educators who put criminals’ hurt feelings above facts should be fired and JAILED.
And that includes using the words “Respect!” and “Dignity!”
Any and all “laws” criminalizing hurt feelings should be repealed and their originators fired and JAILED, too!
Because all subjectivist “laws” are really adversarial crimes, seeking to use fraudulent slander to extort and enslave others. Fraud, slander, extortion and slavery (aka “Political Correctness”) are already crimes.
Bruce McLeod says
Banning the words islam & muslim is absurd. That would be the end of free speech in the USA.
Cristie and the judge should be relieved of their dutys. Fired!!
somehistory says
If some of the people at the hearing use those words anyway, the judge may have them removed from the court.
Others could say, “the people that bow to mecca five times a day, and use loudspeakers to announce those five times at all hours when others are sleeping.
Others could say, those using the building condemn apostasy and some have been known to practice *honor-killing* and give little girls to old men, and…
If they are taken out due to the words moslums use, then the ones left to speak, must make their points using other words used by moslums…but in a different context.
So-called honor-killing,
So-called “child marriage….really organized rape of little girls
killing for apostasy
Yelling over the loudspeakers at five in the morning.
Blocking streets with their over-flow prayers
Preaching *jihad*…no matter what meaning is attributed by those making excuses.
Any number of ways they can be referred to that would exclude people of other beliefs.
Arnold says
There needs to be a civil rights lawsuit and people just coming into the meeting and continuing to talk and talk about the dangers of Islam in a free society.
Susan says
I’m sick of Muslims who practice Islam making demands like a five-year old stomping their feet. No you can’t build your Mosque where it has not been zoned to be built no matter what the Judge says. It is time for America to stand up to the Obama-appointed Judges and demand those Judges be removed. Stop this idiocy before it’s too late.
That money could have gone to the poor in America, instead it’s going to those who least deserve it.
When is everybody going to stand together and say ENOUGH!
Emily nghiem says
Wow, this is the opposite of free speech but punishing it. But if I had to argue constitutionally against the Mosque “without mentioning those two words” I’d say that the organization is required to obey civil laws, and that as a religious organization, the govt cannot give them public money or biased favor without violating amendment one. The same that would be enforced for Christian or Jewish groups would or should be applied to this one, or else it’s discrimination by Creed. Does the Court then have to bar the words “Jewish” or “Christian” from the hearing to treat all religions equally? Then also “Hindu Buddhist or Baha’i”? Where does it end?