Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

Miami, FL – U.S. Senate candidate and former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio today issued the following statement regarding Rifqa Bary’s court case:

“America has a rich tradition of religious freedom that is enshrined in our
First Amendment. Today in Florida, this freedom could be at stake as a court considers the case of 17-year old Rifqa Bary.

“This young woman fled from Ohio to Florida, fearing she would be killed for converting from Islam to Christianity. As the court weighs the facts of this case, I hope it will take her expressed fears seriously and not rush to an irreversible decision that may ultimately endanger her.

“It is imperative that state officials use every legal tool at their disposal to properly evaluate Rifqa’s best interests. Florida has a responsibility not only to protect her innocent life but also to defend her sacred right to worship freely.”