Community groups threatened demonstrations and legal action against a newly signed controversial Monroe County law to protect emergency responders from threats and harassment.
"We will certainly challenge it in court,” Rev. Lewis Stewart, president of the United Christian Leadership Ministry, said. “That's a fact. That's a promise.”
The Monroe County Legislature approved the law in October and County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo signed the law Monday evening following a public hearing at the legislature. That hearing drew angry comments inside the legislative chambers and loud protest outside on Main Street.
“It is unconstitutional,” Stewart said. “It is racist. It tramples on the first amendment.” “This is a stupid, unconstitutional political stunt,” Bill Destler, former president of R.I.T. said.