Robert Rubin is the chairman of the Brooklyn Museum. This litigation is not just about the Brooklyn Museum of Art. It's being undertaken in the interest of all public institutions, museums, universities and libraries. It's a rededication to the free exchange of ideas and information and the interest of the people they serve. The mayor reacted to news of the lawsuit by cancelling a funding payment due this week of more than half a million dollars.
Analysts say the battle is more than it appears.
They say it has to do with Giuliani's plan to run for the U.S. Senate. Critics say Giuliani is going after the conservative Catholic vote which is a key constituency in New York elections. His rival is expected to be Hillary Clinton. She's calling Giuliani's reaction to the exhibit the wrong response. Norman Siegel is the head of the New York Civil Liberty Union.