Feds Sue Village of Airmont, Again, Accused of Discriminating Against Orthodox Jews

The village of Airmont is being brought into federal court for the third time in nearly as many decades, accused of discriminating against Orthodox Jews. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal district court, the Southern District of New York claimed Airmont violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The suit claims Airmont imposed unreasonable zoning requirements on Orthodox Jewish residents, to the point where they couldn’t even get minor alterations approved for private homes. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said “religious discrimination will not be tolerated” and “everyone has the right to worship freely, without undue interference.” Airmont officials could not be reached for comment.