This Farmer Won’t Host Same-Sex Weddings at His Orchard. Now a City Has Banned Him From Its Farmers Market.

[jmyrlefuller]

http://dailysignal.com/2017/05/31/this-farmer-wont-host-same-sex-weddings-on-his-orchard-now-a-city-has-banned-him-from-the-farmers-market/

by Fred Lucas
May 31, 2017

It started when Steve Tennes, who owns a 120-acre farm in Charlotte, Michigan, expressed his traditional view about marriage on the farm’s Facebook page.

This drew a warning from an official more than 20 miles away in East Lansing, Michigan, that if Tennes tried to sell his fruit at the city’s farmers market, it could incite protests.

No one showed up to protest that August day last summer, though, and Tennes continued selling organic apples, peaches, cherries, and pumpkins at the seasonal market until October, as he had done the six previous years.

Nevertheless, East Lansing moved earlier this year to ban Tennes’ farm, the Country Mill, from participating in the farmers market when it resumes June 4. The city cited its human relations ordinance, an anti-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation.

So Tennes and his wife sued the city for religious discrimination.

(excerpt)

[Smokin Joe]

Part of the reply:

East Lansing, the complaint says, “has no authority to enforce its ordinance based on Tennes’ religious beliefs and their impact on how he operates Country Mill.” The farm, it says, is 22 miles outside the city.

The lawsuit also notes that the city has not taken action against a vendor that promoted same-sex marriage.

Therefore, the City is using "official policy" to push an agenda to the exclusion of other beliefs.

[roamer_1]

Part of the reply:
Therefore, the City is using "official policy" to push an agenda to the exclusion of other beliefs.

YEP.
Discrimination under the color of law. No doubt about it.

[mountaineer]

Part of the reply:
Therefore, the City is using "official policy" to push an agenda to the exclusion of other beliefs.

And, possibly, to try to prohibit the free exercise of religion.

[Wingnut]

I'd look at the east Lansing city council and their significant others to find a clue to why this is being enforced.

Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Beier
Personal
Partner – Terry Scharf
Four children:  Christopher, Amy, Patrick, Judy

[Jazzhead]

From what I understand,  this farmer has never violated the law in East Lansing.   He's sold his produce at the city's farmers market to all customers, regardless of race, orientation, etc.   The City is bullying him over his business of renting his farm - many miles from East Lansing - as a setting for wedding ceremonies.

Based on the facts as I understand them,  I support the farmer.  This is petty fascism at its finest.   

[mountaineer]

Agreed, Jazz.