Pelath: Signing of ‘religious freedom’ bill a giant step back for Indiana’s future

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath from Michigan City today issued the following statement after Gov. Mike Pence signed SB 101, the “religious freedom” bill, into law:

“Today marks a giant step backward for Indiana.

“We are allowing people to discriminate against others under the phony cover of religious belief.

“This is progress? To conjure up images of people being denied service at lunch counters?

“Of course, none of this will register with the misguided souls who crafted this outrage. The dismay of interests as diverse as Cummins Engine, the Disciples of Christ Church, and the organizers of the Gen Con convention mean nothing to them.

“They will remain blissful in their ignorance. They have created a problem where none existed, except in their old-fashioned thinking.

“Today’s news will delight one group of people above all. This will be a gravy train for Indiana’s lawyers, as they line up to defend this law. We will keep our expensive court system busy.

“But will this help put more Hoosiers to work with good-paying jobs? Does it show kindness and compassion for others? Does it demonstrate to the world that Indiana is a place where people should want to live and work?

“No.

“All this will bring our state is embarrassment and even shame. I hope it was worth it.”