PROCLAMATION from Fred Camillo, First Selectman
WHEREAS, Religious Freedom was the first among rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution to protect all people to think, express and act upon what they deeply believe as long as they do not harm others; it is a fundamental human right for all; and
WHEREAS, Religious Freedom guards the people's rights to be able to express their beliefs or lack thereof openly without the fear of being denied equal rights; it protects individuals from religious discrimination in employment, housing and other services; it prevents people from being denied the right to have a business, occupation, or professional license based on their identification or beliefs regarding religion; and
WHEREAS, Freedom of Religion principles should guide or be used as a pathway to follow for: judicial decisions, legislation and public policy making at all levels of government; such that the government may not favor one religion over another, or over atheism or agnosticism; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Congress designated January 16th as Religious Freedom Day to commemorate the enactment on January 16, 1786, of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson.
NOW, THEREFORE, l, FRED CAMILLO FIRST SELECTMAN OF THE TOWN OF GREENWICH, do
hereby proclaim January 9, 2023 as
Religious Freedom Day