NYC Resolution Would Mark 350th Anniversary of Flushing Remonstrance

Historians say that the first formal exercise of religious freedom in the American colonies was the Flushing Remonstrance of December 27, 1657. Its 31 signers demanded that then-Governor of New Amsterdam, Peter Stuyvesant, allow the free exercise of religion and protested his ban on practicing any religion other than that of Dutch Reform Church-- particularly his prohibition on receiving Quakers. Four of the signers of the Remonstrance were arrested. New York plans to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the document in December in a ceremony that includes descendants of the original signers. According to the Gotham Gazette, New York City Council member Helen Sears this week proposed Resolution 825 to formally commemorate the signing of the document.