Swastika tagged on June 17, 2008 An Albuquerque Jewish family is upset after they found a swastika symbol tagged on their home. Mikey Weinstein says his dogs chased off unknown suspects into a waiting car around 9 p.m. Sunday night. He says that's when he turned and saw a "badly drawn swastika and cross." Weinstein says his organization, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has made him a target before, but he says this time it went too far. "This attack on my family and on my house is really an attack on the U.S. Constitution and our foundation," he said. The MRFF has a pending lawsuits against the Pentagon, claiming fundamental Christianity is pushed on U.S. soldiers. As for the swastika and cross, Bernalillo County deputies are investigating. The FBI and the Gang and Terrorism Task Force are also being notified. There are currently no suspects.
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Lawyer's Home June 17, 2008 An Albuquerque lawyer and his family are recovering from what he calls the latest retaliation against his crusade for separation of church and state in the military. Lawyer Mikey Weinstein said his family has a total of 130 years of military service; Weinstein is a veteran himself. But the former counsel to President Ronald Reagan has locked horns with the military over religious freedom, and this is just the latest in a long series of retaliation -- but he said it's the worst. Weinstein is no stranger to controversy, and no novice at being a lightning rod for those who hate. But Weinstein said having a swastika and crucifix painted on the front of his house Sunday was something different. "This is the first time I think I've ever felt outrage, humiliation and embarrassment at the same time," Weinstein said. Weinstein said he's had tires slashed, windows shot out, feces and dead animals thrown on his lawn, all connected to the battle his foundation is waging in court. Weinstein has filed suit claiming the military is violating the religious liberties of its members. That doesn't set well with some. But Weinstein said this will just cement the resolve of his organization. "This is only going to further embolden us to preserve the constitution, and keep our foundation strong for the members of our U.S. military," Weinstein said. If Weinstein lived in Albuquerque, whoever did this would be subject to a hate crime enhancement that would double the penalty if they are caught and convicted. But he lives in the county, which has no such measure. The incident has also taught him something else. "From Muslims, from Jews, from Christians, from Democrats and Republicans, independents, atheists, agnostics, and Wiccans, it [support] has been overwhelming, and if there is any silver lining to having something this horrible happen, it's the fact that the community responded and responded so wonderfully," Weinstein said. Weinstein first made headlines in 2005, when he filed suit against the United States Air Force. In the suit, Weinstein claimed that the Air Force imposed Evangelical Christianity on Academy cadets, in violation of their constitutional rights. That suit was dismissed, because the plaintiffs were no longer cadets. |
