Mayor's decision to drop subpoenas fails to quell criticism

Mayor says rights issue didn't belong in middle of religious freedom fight

By Katherine Driessen and Mike Morris

October 29, 2014 | Updated: October 29, 2014 11:02pm

Comments
Mayor Annise Parker announces Wednesday morning that the city of Houston will withdraw subpoenas of five pastors in the lawsuit over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.

Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle

Mayor Annise Parker announces Wednesday morning that the city of Houston will withdraw subpoenas of five pastors in the lawsuit over the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.

By Katherine Driessen and Mike Morris

October 29, 2014 | Updated: October 29, 2014 11:02pm

Convinced by clergymen from across the country that she had entered a raging national debate on religious freedom she wanted no part of, Mayor Annise Parker on Wednesday agreed to withdraw controversial subpoenas the city issued to five local pastors in connection with a lawsuit over Houston's equal rights ordinance.

Katherine Driessen

Katherine Driessen

City Hall reporter, Houston Chronicle

Mike Morris

Mike Morris

City Hall Reporter, Houston Chronicle

Katherine Driessen

Katherine Driessen

City Hall reporter, Houston Chronicle

Mike Morris

Mike Morris

City Hall Reporter, Houston Chronicle

Houston

More in Houston

Houston

More in Houston

Houston Politics & Policy

Kimberly Price was one of the "We've Been There Done That" alumni who cast their first votes Wednesday.

Ex-prostitutes and drug addicts find a voice through program

Transportation

Lyft leaving Houston unless new rules are altered

Lifestyle

A detail of the quilt "Civil War Bride" by Cynthia Collier of League City. It's one of more than 250 traditional quilts in a special exhibit at this year's International Quilt Festival Houston.

Nothing old-fashioned about these quilts

Lifestyle

"A lot of it feels like two people on a trapeze," Michael Trent says of recording with Cary Ann Hearst.

Shovels & Rope digs deep for beautiful songs

Top

© 2013 Hearst Newspapers, LLC.