A lawyer in Brooklyn has filed a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo over his executive orders amid the coronavirus pandemic, claiming they violate his rights to observe his Jewish faith and could set “precedents with horrifying consequences.”
Attorney Lee Nigen filed a lawsuit against the New York governor and the state government Friday, saying statements the governor has made regarding limiting travel violate his rights to conduct business or meet with “like-minded people,” according to the New York Post.
“Mr. Cuomo’s threat that his directives will be enforced by law enforcement cause Mr. Nigen to fear arrest if he attempts to travel for any other purpose other than getting medical attention or obtaining groceries, thus impermissibly chilling his exercise of his constitutional rights to travel,” the lawsuit states.
Cuomo has signed orders over the last month requiring nonessential businesses to close and large gatherings to cease as the state grapples with increasing cases of the coronavirus but has not yet ordered a travel ban.
“Clearly, there is a grave public health emergency in New York. We understand that,” Norm Pattis, Nigen’s attorney, told the New York Post. “But lawful process matters and emergency orders of this sort, if left unchallenged, will evolve into precedents with horrifying consequences.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory Saturday night for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to “refrain from nonessential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately,” after President Trump backed away from issuing quarantine orders in the states.
“On the recommendation of the White House CoronaVirus Task Force, and upon consultation with the Governor’s of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, I have asked the @CDCgov to issue a strong Travel Advisory, to be administered by the Governors, in consultation with the Federal Government. A quarantine will not be necessary,” Trump tweeted Saturday. “Full details will be released by CDC tonight. Thank you!”
The Office of the New York State Attorney General is currently reviewing Nigen’s suit.
