Lawsuit filed in Hamptons religious symbol fight

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) — A long-simmering controversy over whether Orthodox Jews can place a religious symbol on utility poles in a Hamptons community on eastern Long Island appears headed to court.

Attorneys for the East End Eruv Association have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming officials in the town of Southampton and villages of Westhampton Beach and Quogue are intentionally infringing on their religious freedom by not allowing the placement of an "eruv."

The eruv consists of small wooden strips called "lechis," which are often placed on utility poles to create an invisible boundary that allows observant Jews within the eruv to perform manual labor, including pushing and carrying objects such as strollers and wheelchairs on the Sabbath or religious holidays like Yom Kippur.

"Our efforts for rational discussion and fair treatment have been met with harsh words and obvious discrimination," Marvin Tenzer, EEEA's president, said in a statement. "These villages and town are violating our constitutional and civil rights by engaging in an active campaign to obstruct our ability to practice our religion."