MEDIA ADVISORY

(New York, New York) – July 27, 2011:

The Christian Action Network (CAN) is initiating legal action against the City of New York due to the Parks and Recreation Departments (PRD) refusal to grant CAN permits to screen the documentary, Sacrificed Survivors: The Untold Story of the Ground Zero Mosque, during the week leading up to the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The organization says the Department is guilty of operating with a politically-correct double-standard, pointing out how it previously approved the showing of another controversial film supported by powerful Muslim-American groups.

There will be a news conference Thursday, July 28th at 11:00 a.m. in New York City at 250 Greenwich Street on the corner of Vesey, to discuss this issue.

CAN has filed seven applications with the PRD to screen the film, which focuses on the impact of the Ground Zero Mosque on 9/11 first-responders and victim’s families, at outdoor parks on a 25 foot inflatable screen. Although showing independent films in New York Citys parks is common, the Department has yet to approve any of CANs requests and has also refused to provide a written response to CANs requests.

“The Parks and Recreation Department verbally told us that none of the parks would be available for us on any of the days we requested. To the best of our knowledge, these parks have not been booked for any other events. We can only assume the Department does not want our film to be seen in public,” said Martin Mawyer, President of CAN.

CAN has retained the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law. The ACLJ is sending City officials a demand letter requesting that the City approve CAN’s permit applications. Brett Joshpe, attorney for the ACLJ, said if the City is engaging in content-based analysis in reviewing permit applications, then that is simply unconstitutional.

Representatives from CAN, the ACLJ and 9/11 family members and survivors featured in the documentary will be available for questions.

For more information please contact: Jason Campbell at jpcampbell70 or 434-851-5584.