Two Amish Families Held In Contempt Over Sewage Code Compliance

In Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, at a contempt hearing on Friday, a state court judge ordered the homes of two Amish families padlocked, and the occupants evicted, until they complied with court orders to bring the homes into compliance with the county's building and sewage codes. The Altoona Mirror reports that the judge gave the families-- who are members of the conservative Swartzentruber Amish sect--until Monday morning to remove their belongings. The court had issued a preliminary injunction in February ordering the families to comply. However defendants say compliance would violate their religious beliefs. (See prior posting.)