Punishing the Amish Community Because Their Children Are Unvaccinated

It is outrageous that the state of NY is punishing the Amish community because their children are unvaccinated. They are using money as a weapon, trying to fine these communities into compliance. This is a blatant violation of the legal principle of “informed consent” which guarantees individuals the right to make informed decisions about medical interventions, particularly vaccines, without coercion or misinformation. Without this protection, you can be forced into anything by those in power, just like the Nazis did in WWII.

Lara Logan

New York Democrats have declared WAR ON THE AMISH. Thanks to their unconstitutional attack on religion, they're now able to fine EACH unvaccinated Amish child $2,000 EVERY SINGLE DAY. ⠀ The $118,000 bill is one day, not the cap. Three one-room schools alone already owe that much for 59 children, at $2,000 each. ⠀ Health Commissioner Mary Bassett imposed it on December 15, 2022. She called the sum conservative because it assumed only one day out of compliance. ⠀ Dygert Road was billed $52,000 for 26 children. Pleasant View was billed $46,000 for 23. ⠀ Shady Lane was billed $20,000 for 10. ⠀ Footnote 9 of the Second Circuit opinion records the state's view. Each day an unvaccinated student attends is a fresh violation and a fresh $2,000 fine. ⠀ Another day for those 59 children is another $118,000. A 180-day year at that rate is about $21 million, and the families say they cannot pay the first bill. ⠀ Joseph Miller, Jonas Smucker, and Ezra Wengerd run the schools. The schools sit in Clymer and Heuvelton, plus the Canajoharie settlement, and take no public money. ⠀ They had a religious exemption for decades. On June 13, 2019, Democrats repealed it after measles spread through Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Rockland County. ⠀ Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill. Governor Kathy Hochul left it in force. ⠀ A parent may not excuse a child for faith. ⠀ Senator James Skoufis said the exemption was made up and fake. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called it utter garbage. ⠀ Counsel Aaron Siri told the New York Post the families can pay only if the state takes their land. Some in the community have talked of leaving the state. ⠀ The case is Miller versus McDonald. The Second Circuit ruled against them on June 30 in 2026. ⠀ A Supreme Court petition was due around September 28. Make sure EVERYONE sees this. If WE don't stand up for these incredible men and women - WHO WILL?!?!?! ⠀ Where is the “my body my choice crowd now”? 

— Eli Yoder (@Yodertoter40) October 7, 2026