Trump's week in review: Defense Dept. rebranded; TPS revoking draws ire of Evangelical group
3. DOJ investigates Alabama city for alleged discrimination against Christian nonprofit
In a statement Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it is investigating whether the city of Rainsville, Alabama, had violated federal laws by denying an organization's application to establish a Christian discipleship program designed to rehabilitate drug addicts.
As highlighted in a letter to Rainsville City Attorney Bradley Cornett, the investigation comes after the DOJ's Office of Civil Rights received a complaint from Total Recovery Ministries alleging that the city illegally discriminated against the organization in its request for a zoning exemption to open an addiction recovery facility in a residential neighborhood. The request was rejected after residents expressed concern about the center opening in their neighborhood.
The Justice Department will seek to determine whether the municipality violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 and the Fair Housing Act.
"The ADA affords every individual, including those on the path to recovery, the dignity and opportunity to fully participate in society," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon.
"The Civil Rights Division stands guard to protect not only the rights of Americans with disabilities, but also the rights of religious institutions to minister to those recovering from substance abuse," she added.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
