New York State Trial Court: Supporting Trump is Not a Religion

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New York Post reports that a New York state trial court judge tossed a discrimination lawsuit brought by Greg Piatek, a President Trump supporter, against a West Village bar.  According to the article, Piatek was told to leave the bar because he was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat shortly after Trump took office.  According to Piatek, he was told: “Anyone who supports Trump – or believes in what you believe – is not welcome here!  And you need to leave right now because we won’t serve you!”  Piatek sued in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleging that being kicked out of the bar “offended his sense of being American.”  Piatek claimed that by wearing the hat he was paying spiritual tribute to the victims of 9/11, and that wearing the hat was part of his spiritual belief.  When asked by the judge how bar employees were supposed to know of Piatek’s unusual religious beliefs, Piatek’s lawyer responded: “They were aware he was wearing the hat.”  When pressed by the judge as to the number of members in the spiritual program, Piatek conceded that it is a creed of one.  The Court ruled that supporting President Trump is not a religion, and dismissed the lawsuit: “Plaintiff does not state any faith-based principle to which the hat relates.”

Original photograph by nevermindtheendsome rights reserved.

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