ACLJ to Appeal Ground Zero Mosque Court Decision on Standing

(Washington, D.C.) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) says it plans to appeal a decision Friday by State Supreme Court in Manhattan rejecting legal standing for ACLJ client Tim Brown in a lawsuit challenging New York City's decision to permit the construction of an Islamic mosque at Ground Zero, the site where one of the hijacked planes crashed on September 11th.

The following statement is from ACLJ attorney Brett Joshpe:

We believe the court erred in ruling that our client, Timothy Brown, an American hero and 9/11 first responder, does not have standing to challenge the politically motivated decision not to landmark a standing monument to that day. This decision fails to give appropriate consideration to first responders and others who risked their lives and lost loved ones on September 11th. If Mr. Brown does not have standing, then who does? We intend to appeal this decision and remain confident that this mosque will never rise above Ground Zero.

The ACLJ lawsuit is posted here.

Nearly 300,000 Americans have signed on to the ACLJ Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque. The ACLJ says it intends to file a notice of appeal in the First Department Appellate Division.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.