By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
August 12, 2013
RALEIGH — A bill that would protect North Carolinians from the use of foreign law in family courts won overwhelming support in the Senate last month and passed by a 2-to-1 margin in the House but still awaits the signature of Gov. Pat McCrory.
“It’s important that the Governor hear from Christians across the state so that he knows that we value the protection this bill offers from Sharia Law or any other foreign legal system that would contradict our own Constitutional rights,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “He is obviously hearing from opponents of the measure.”
Rep. Chris Whitmire (R-Henderson), who helped shepherd the bill through the House, called on the Christian Action League for help in bending the governor’s ear.
“The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other groups … continue to lobby the Governor not to sign HB 522, The Foreign Laws/Protect Constitutional Rights Bill,” Rep. Whitmire wrote in an e-mail to the CAL. “Many of these oppositional groups have a history of ties to terrorist sympathizers and enablers.”
Fleming El-Amin with the American Coalition for Good Government, which began in 1997 as an offshoot of sorts of the Muslim American Society, wrote lawmakers in late July opposing Whitmire’s bill and claiming it would violate Muslims’ freedom to worship. He said that “to infer in this Bill that this community is a threat to the U.S. Constitution boarders (sic) on racism.”
In truth the bill shores up the constitutional rights of anyone summoned before state courts for divorce, alimony or child custody hearings.
“There is nothing racist about ensuring that each person coming to family court in our state gets the full benefit of U.S. and North Carolina laws, and that no one finds himself or herself still bound by regulations of foreign nations,” said Dr. Creech. “One of the beauties of the United States of America is that no matter where you are from or what heritage you bring, once you’ve made this country your home, no one can deny you the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.”
While opponents have called the law unnecessary, supporters have documented more than 50 cases in 23 states in which judges have applied foreign law, depriving people, often women, of their constitutional rights. Concerned Women for America has championed the bill and held an event in Raleigh for the cause this spring.
“We view the issue of Sharia Law through the context of the ‘least of these,’” Penny Nance, CWA’s chief executive officer, told the crowd. “We’ve got to make sure no matter who sets foot on our shores, that they are protected by our great laws.”
Six states have already passed similar legislation.
Christian Action Alert:
Dr. Creech urged CAL supporters to contact the Governor’s Office to ask him to sign H 522. He has until just prior to midnight on Aug. 25 to enact the legislation. The Governor’s office can be reached by phone at (919) 814-2000; e-mail at pat.mccrory@nc.gov; or fax at (919) 733-2120.