AZ & UT--Victims applaud unusual trial involving Mormon sect
For immediate release: Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, [email protected])
We applaud the US Justice Department for its unusual civil rights case, going to trial now in Phoenix, against two towns on the Arizona-Utah line “that authorities say were acting as agents of a corrupt polygamist regime,” according to the Associated Press. We hope federal authorities prevail over officials with Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona, who are accused of showing favoritism to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, helping sect leader Warren Jeffs while he was a fugitive, and discriminating against adherents of other faith groups.
It’s really frightening when tax-payer funded individuals or institutions show bias and help cult-like organizations.
We hope every single person who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by or cover ups by officials with either town or the FLDS church will find the strength to call federal authorities, expose wrongdoers and protect kids. It’s never too late to do what’s right to help law enforcement safeguard the vulnerable.
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 20,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, [email protected], [email protected]), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected])
Civil rights trial expected to reveal inner workings of polygamous towns on Arizona-Utah line
Associated Press Jan. 7, 2016, By JACQUES BILLEAUD and BRADY McCOMBS, Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) — A trial that begins this month in Phoenix is expected to reveal the inner workings of two secluded towns on the Arizona-Utah line that authorities say were acting as agents of a corrupt polygamist regime.
The federal government brought a civil rights lawsuit against Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, that contends local leaders engaged in a pattern of discrimination against residents who are not members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which broke away from mainstream Mormonism when it disavowed polygamy more than 100 years ago.
The government alleges . . .
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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