Churches Under Assault/Catholic Diocese Objects/Mayor Stanton Proposes Radical Agenda

	Churches Under Assault/Catholic Diocese Objects Mayor Stanton Proposes Radical Agenda Mayor Stanton's proposal is a radical left turn for Phoenix. Labeled the "Bathroom Bill" it allows grown men in the girls' bathrooms at our parks, businesses and restaurants and it imposes criminal sanctions on our business community. Furthermore, we now have uncovered that it opens the door for criminal penalties against churches. Should our priests, pastors, rabbis and bishops and stake presidents be made criminals by the City of Phoenix? Do you think it is the role of our city to impose criminal penalties against churches? I don't. I also believe the proposal is clearly unconstitutional. Please read the comments and the full release from the Diocese of Phoenix below. "By failing to provide a clear means by which individuals may, in good conscience and without malice, practice their faith and live their values without fear of prosecution and punishment, the proposed "non-discrimination" ordinance actually could be used as a means to codify and mandate unjust discrimination against people of faith." Mayor Stanton has put this ordinance on a fast track, greatly diminishing the transparency and opportunity for public evaluation that we value in the City of Phoenix. Every day we are finding new and dramatic changes his proposal demands. Mayor Stanton has dug his heels in on his proposal and he needs to be pressured to reasonably amend it. I am calling on the city to slow this down and give everyone an opportunity to evaluate all the consequences of this proposal. I do believe there is a chance something reasonable can be attained, but it must not allow grown men in the girls' bathroom nor impose criminal sanctions on our business owners, and it must specifically exclude religious institutions. This can only be achieved by allowing the faith-based community, which has been excluded from this discussion, at the table. The vote is tomorrow, February 26 at 2:30 pm at the Orpheum Theater (203 W. Adams). Please pass this email to your contact lists and reach out to your City Councilmember, asking that this be slowed down and given proper vetting and transparency.Here is the full release from the Diocese: To contact the Phoenix City Council:Mayor Greg Stanton: mayor.stanton@phoenix.gov Councilwoman Thelda Williams: council.district.1@phoenix.gov Councilman Jim Waring: council.district.2@phoenix.gov Vice Mayor Bill Gates: council.district.3@phoenix.gov Councilman Tom Simplot: council.district.4@phoenix.gov Councilman Daniel Valenzuela: council.district.5@phoenix.gov Councilman Michael Nowakowski: council.district.7@phoenix.gov Councilman Michael Johnson: council.district.8@phoenix.gov My best to you and your family, Sal DiCiccio