Avella tells Polish Americans of his Christmas creche battles

- Frank Milewski The twelve days of Christmas are now long past but New York City Council Member Tony Avella has not ended his determined campaign to allow Nativity Scenes in New York City public schools during the Christmas season.

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Before a packed auditorium at the Polish & Slavic Center in Brooklyn's Greenpoint section, Mr. Avella told members of the Polish American Congress of the difficulties Christians face in getting the City's Department of Education to allow a Christmas creche to be displayed alongside the religious symbols of other groups. The Jewish Menorah and Islam's Star and Crescent are allowed. Despite that, the City restricts Christians to using a Christmas tree as their symbol, according to Avella who feels the issues here are "fairness" and "discrimination." Mayor Bloomberg could easily resolve the entire matter "by making just one phone call" to the Education Department, he stressed. Avella thanked the Polish American Congress for its support of his efforts. He urged Christians to call or write Mayor Bloomberg and ask him to advise the Department of Education that Christians insist that the creche is their Christmas symbol and not a spruce or a pine tree. Council Member Avella has already announced he is a candidate for Mayor of New York in this year's elections. Contact: Frank Milewski 718-263-2700 - Ext. 105 pacdny@verizon.net

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