Excellent RLUIPA video for colleges and law schools (America’s Holy War)
America’s Holy War
Available at: https://www.academicvideostore.com/video/americas-holy-war
RLUIPA (2000): No government shall impose or implement a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a religious assembly or institution, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person, assembly, or institution, is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.”
If religious rights are enshrined in the Constitution, why did Congress pass the Religious Land Use and Institutionalised Persons Act (RLUIPA) in 2000? More than 10 years on, has the law achieved what lawmakers intended? What are the social and environmental consequences of a Statute which accuses communities of religious discrimination before it can be disproved; ignores established zoning; and, in practice, undermines every planning and environmental law on the books? And, why hasn’t Congress delivered on its promise to review the Statute to measure the impact it has had?
In the absence of a Congressional review of RLUIPA’s record in the land use process, AMERICA’S HOLY WAR, investigates. Under the microscope, one community where there is a growing cluster of RLUIPA lawsuits – The Town of Ramapo in Rockland County, New York to provide insight into how RLUIPA may be playing out in many other communities throughout the country.
Filmed in Ramapo between 2007 and 2011, the documentary examines some RLUIPA cases past and running. Appearing, a cross section of residents, politicians, clergy and Environmental Consultant and former Director of RIVERKEEPER, Alex Matthiessen. To explain the Statute and how it came to be passed, are leading National Constitutional and RLUIPA experts including: Professor Patricia Salkin, at the time of filming, the Associate Dean of Albany Law School and author of the authoritative, LAW OF THE LAND Blog. Now, Dean and Professor of Law at Touro Law Center, Touro College. Attorney Roman Storzer of the New York and Washington-based law firm, Storzer and Greene. And Professor Marci Hamilton, Cordozo Law School, Yeshiva University. Professor Hamilton presented evidence in Congressional hearings on RLUIPA and she is the author of “God vs The Gavel”.
Awards:
- Great Lakes International Film Festival. Official Selection 2012 (Nominated Best Documentary)
- 2012 Moondance International film Festival Semi-Finalist
- 2012 S.U.R.G.E. Film Festival, Certificate of Excellence
Quotes:
“Keep an eye out for “America’s Holy War,” a documentary film by Moondance Films, filmed in Ramapo NY between 2007 and earlier this year, the documentary examines some RLUIPA cases past and running. Appear is a cross section of residents, politicians, clergy and Environmental Consultant and former Director of RIVERKEEPER, Alex Matthiessen. To explain the Statute and how it came to be passed are leading National Constitutional and RLUIPA experts including Professor Patti Salkin, Associate Den of Albany Law School and author of the authoritative LAW OF THE LAND blog; Attorney Roman Storzer of the New York and Washington-based law form, Storzer and Greene; and Professor Marci Hamilton, Cardozo Law School, Yeshiva University.” — The Planning and Law Division, American Planning Association
“America’s Holy War provides a balanced examination into the conflicts that arise when free exercise of religion meets local community planning and land development laws.” — Patricia E. Salkin, Dean and Professor of Law, Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center