And this would be equally true if it was desecrating the Jewish religion, the Muslim religion, the Protestant religion, or any of the religions that are of great significance and importance to the people of our city and our country. Moreover, in showing this exhibit, the Brooklyn Museum has to also close off part of their museum to children because they believe the exhibit would be horrible for children to see. But closing off any part of the museum violates the century-old lease between the museum and the City, which requires that the museum be open for public access. Indeed, this is the very risk that the people putting on this exhibit are taking. The distinction that many are overlooking here is not in any way interfering in freedom of expression.
People have a right to express their views.
But by the same token, people also have a right to make certain that their taxpayer dollars do not support serious desecrations of things that are important to them as a nation, or things that are important to them from the point of view of their religion.