FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sheri Miller
(704) 542-6984
Raleigh, N.C. — Thursday, June 11, 2015, in a 69-41 decision, the North Carolina House voted to override the Governor’s veto of SB 2 — Magistrates Recusal for Civil Ceremonies. This strong common sense religious freedom bill now becomes law in North Carolina. We applaud both the North Carolina House and the North Carolina Senate for their judicious majority decisions with regard to religious freedom for North Carolina.
North Carolina citizens spoke loudly when they voted in favor of traditional marriage on May 8, 2012, by a strong 22% margin. This amendment, struck down by one appointed federal judge last October, has left our state unprotected from liberal ideology. Further, that North Carolina’s republican governor completely dismissed that majority opinion in favor of a select few in the LGBT community is troubling.
CWA of North Carolina State Director Sheri Miller said:
“Concerned Women for America of North Carolina commends the courageous leadership of our North Carolina legislators who took strong stands for the rights of religious freedom in our state. At least 16 Magistrates have lost their jobs in North Carolina for obeying their consciences because of their strongly held convictions of religious faith. SB 2 will protect their religious freedoms as protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as well as by Article I, Sec. 13 of the North Carolina Constitution, which states that ‘no human authority shall ever interfere with the rights of conscience.’ ’’
We respectfully disagree with Gov. McCrory’s decision to veto SB 2. We hope he recognizes the significance of this religious liberty legislation ruling, overriding his veto, and now stands with the majority of his constituency as well as with both legislative chambers as there will surely be religious liberty issues on which to rule in the future.
Concerned Women for America of North Carolina is part of Concerned Women for America,
the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization with over 500,000 members.
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