Source: Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/press02/PR031604.html
On March 15, 2004 Religion News Service reported, " Today the State of New York brought charges against two Unitarian Universalist ministers for marrying 13 same-sex couples. Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, representing the Union for Reform Judaism and Central Conference of American Rabbis, issued the following statement: Not all the facts around the ceremonies and the arrests are yet known, but the willingness of the state to arrest clergy for engaging in religious ceremonies requires an immediate response. These arrests raise ...serious concerns for Americans who cherish religious freedom. First, the Constitution's promise of religious freedom, and the doctrine of 'church autonomy' (that rests in both the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause), should permit clergy to officiate at religious ceremonies without state interference."