HOUSTON – Mayor Annise Parker said the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance subpoenas filed against five pastors have been revised to clarify and narrow their reach.
The mayor said revised subpoenas that specifically relate to HERO and the signature-gathering process for the petition to repeal the ordinance have been filed and that the original subpoenas were too broad.
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"It was never the intention of the city of Houston to intrude on any manners of faith," Parker said. "Remember, they (HERO opponents) sued the city; this is our response."
The mayor said the city is seeking information from five pastors on all speeches or presentations related to HERO or the petition prepared by, delivered by, revised by or approved by them or in their possession, but not on their sermons.
"This is not about what anyone is preaching, this is not about religion, this is not about anyone exercising their religion... this is about the petition process," said Parker. "We don't want their sermons."
City attorney Dave Feldman said the request for information is a part of the discovery process for the lawsuit.
Opponents of the ordinance were hoping to get HERO repealed with a petition, but the city called the petition invalid after not enough signatures were gathered.
"This is a mayor who has waged a full-scale war on the churches in Harris County," said attorney Jared Woodfill, who is representing the pastors. "These pastors are standing up and saying enough is enough and we are not going to allow it to happen on our watch."
Attorneys for the pastors have filed a motion to quash the subpoenas. The anti-discrimination ordinance passed months ago has been the focus of protests from local pastors.
"Her recent antics is to go after pastors," Woodfill said. "Now remember, these are simply pastors who talked about the issue from the pulpit of the church."
The five pastors are Pastor Hernan Castano, Ms. Magda Hermida, Pastor Khan Huynh, Pastor Steve Riggle and Pastor David Welch.