ChanukKa, Christmas and Curb Side Parking

Parent Cafe
1

<p>The latest Christmas ‘government display’ debate reminds me of discussions about “parking holidays” in New York City.</p>

<p>A few years ago (prior to 2001), muslim leaders in New York City pressed the DOT to add a couple of their religious holidays to the crazy quilt of the city’s “alternate side of the street” parking rules. There are of course the traditional days such as President’s Day, Memorial Day etc., but the Muslims argued that their congregations had just as many members as the adherents of “recognized” religious days like Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana and Greek Orthodox Easter (Monday), if not more. As I recall the DOT found itself in a bit of a pickle because parking holidays in NYC means lost revenue from violations (tickets), and that is serious municipal (meters) money in da Big Apple. Thus DOT was not enthusiastic about adding more parking holidays.</p>

<p>Should governments be in the business of “approving” religious holidays? By the way, at many major civic events in NYC nowadays, if a convocation is given, it includes a minister, a rabbi and an imam.</p>

2

<p>I think NYC painted itself into a corner. I see four solutions. Recognize no holidays. Recognize all holidays which might include recognizing religions of one. Rewrite the law so that only religions with a threshold number of adherents can be recognized. And finally, supsend parking only in the vicinity of religious instititutions on days when services make parking a problem.</p>