Houston mayor Annise Parker announced Oct. 29 she is withdrawing the subpoenas that were issued to five local pastors.
“It was never our intention to interfere with clergy,” Parker said. “I don’t want to have a national debate on freedom of religion when my purpose is to defend … a city ordinance.”
The decision to repeal the subpoenas came after Parker had two meetings Oct. 28, one with local pastors and another with national clergy.
The subpoenas were part of a suit filed involving the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. The five pastors subpoenaed led a petition against the ordinance.
The repeal of the subpoenas, however, is not the end of ordinance.
“We are going to continue to vigorously defend our ordinance against repeal efforts,” Parker said.
The five pastors collectively said the petition was a defense of First Amendment rights. (TAB)
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