New York Amish Ask U.S. Supreme Court
to Protect Their Way of Life — Again
On Monday, First Liberty—alongside law firms Siri & Glimstad, Lehotsky Cohn, and Chris Wiest, Attorney at Law, PLLC—filed a petition at the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of Amish clients in New York.
We’re asking the Court to make clear that it’s unconstitutional for the state to force Amish families to violate their religious beliefs in order to send their kids to school.
The Amish educate their children in private Amish schools and have done so for hundreds of years. After 50 years of allowing a religious exemption from vaccine requirements, the state now says Amish children must receive vaccinations in violation of their sincerely held religious beliefs in order to attend their own Amish schools.
The Supreme Court has an opportunity to protect the rights of the Amish community in the Empire State, allowing them to resume living out their faith just like they’ve done for the last 200 years.
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case Seeking to
Clarify Federal Law’s Protection of Religious Land Use
Big news! First Liberty will be arguing a second case at the U.S. Supreme Court this term. This week, the Court agreed to hear Missionaries of Saint John the Baptist, Inc. v. Frederic.
The Court will review a decision by the Kentucky Supreme Court denying the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist the right to build a modest shrine for quiet prayer and reflection on their own property.
“Telling a church it can’t build a modest place for prayer and reflection on its own property is outrageous,” said Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel. “Federal law provides clear protections for how faith-based organizations can use their property to support their mission. This is an important case for religious freedom.”
This case presents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to affirm the federal law that protects religious land use. The outcome could set a precedent that strengthens protections for houses of worship across America.
Leading The Conversation
Amish Face New York Vaccine Mandate in Supreme Court Fight, Might Have to ‘Pack Their Wagons’ – Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser | Fox News
High Court Victor Who Kept Job Presses Rare Retaliation Case – Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser | Bloomberg Law
‘Victory For Educational Freedom’: Federal Court Greenlights Nation’s First Religious Charter School Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser | Heartlander News
What Could the Supreme Court Say About the Ten Commandments in Schools? – Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser | Daily Signal
Christian Nurse Says Oregon Hospital Tried To Force Employee Group To Go ‘Interfaith’ – Senior Counsel Cliff Martin | Fox News
Fixing the Federal Judiciary – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Executive Director Jordan Ballor | WORLD Opinion
Victory: Judge Nullifies Criminal Charges Against Pastor Chris
We are thrilled to announce a huge victory for Pastor Chris Avell. His criminal conviction has been vacated.
Pastor Chris was criminally convicted for offering compassion for vulnerable people in Bryan, Ohio. Facing jail time for keeping the doors of Dad’s Place church open 24 hours a day, he has endured a years-long legal battle with the city.
First Liberty has been honored to fight alongside him throughout this battle—and last week’s ruling is an important victory for Chris and his congregation.
What does this ruling mean for religious freedom?
First Liberty Senior Counsel Ryan Gardner explains what the court said and what comes next. Watch below:
Editors’ Picks
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear New Religious Liberty Case Over Shrine to Virgin Mary – The Washington Times
Supreme Court Agrees to Take Up Zoning Dispute Over Kentucky Church Shrine – The Hill
Court Agrees to Hear Arguments in Important Immigration Case, Religious Zoning Dispute – SCOTUSblog
Opinion | Another Try for Religious Charter Schools – The Wall Street Journal
A Rise in Young Catholic Converts Points to Spiritual Longing in U.S. And Europe – The Washington Post
