Backlash Against a Good Samaritan?
Pastor Chris Avell is facing criminal charges. His alleged crime? Ministering to the community of Bryan, Ohio 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
No matter the time of day, Pastor Chris wants to keep the doors of his church open as a refuge for those in need. But city officials are blocking him from helping the vulnerable. He has been hit with nearly two dozen criminal charges. And First Liberty will not let Pastor Chris stand alone in this battle.
She’s not backing down from her beliefs
Alaska Airlines fired dedicated flight attendant Lacey Smith for expressing her religious beliefs. The firing was in direct violation of federal civil rights law which prohibits workplace religious discrimination. Woke madness is now governing our nation’s companies from the boardroom to the break room, and it’s forcing Lacey to choose between her job and her faith.
Punished for Encouraging Truth and Integrity
Jace Yarbrough is being punished by Air Force officials for a private speech he gave as a civilian at a private retirement ceremony. This could destroy his military career in the Air Force Reserve.
First Liberty won’t let that happen – not on our watch.
Threatened for Displaying a Crucifix
For the past 10 years, Marisol has placed the crucifix by her desk along with other personal items. As a devout Catholic, it reminds her to pray and helps her remain calm throughout the day.
But right now, her life is being turned upside down and her teaching career could abruptly end. The New Britain School District is threatening to fire Marisol because she didn’t take down her crucifix. She was first suspended without pay, then placed administrative leave, and recently was reassigned to a nonteaching role.
Physician Assistant Fired for Her Beliefs
The University of Michigan Health system fired Valerie Kloosterman, a physician assistant, because of her religious beliefs. She was terminated for seeking a religious accommodation from using biology-obscuring pronouns and from referring patients for “gender reassignment” drugs and surgeries. To fight this injustice, we filed a lawsuit against Michigan Health for violating federal law prohibiting workplace religious discrimination.
Protecting Families Who Choose a Religious Education
First Liberty is fighting for three families who want the best education for their kids. They all use the help of public charter schools that offer homeschool programs. But California won’t let them choose a religious curriculum.
Can the government force Americans to choose between their faith and their livelihood?
Can the government force you to act against your conscience—to say or do something that directly conflicts with your religious beliefs? These are the questions at the heart of our case for Melissa Klein, award-winning cake artist and former owner of SweetCakes by Melissa. The state of Oregon imposed a $135,000 penalty and told her she needed “rehabilitation” for simply running her family business according to her religious beliefs. Now, almost 10 years later—after being forced to close her business and enduring violent death threats—she is still searching for justice, still waiting for the courts to recognize her constitutional right to stand by her faith as she runs her business.
State Officials Fumble Free Speech & Religious Liberty
First Liberty represents Cambridge Christian School, who was told by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) that it could not pray over the loudspeaker before kickoff of its state championship football game. Officials outrageously argued that prayer was an “endorsement” of religion since it would be taking place on government property. Their actions are illegal and unconstitutional—which is why we’re fighting in federal appeals court to bring justice to our clients.
A decades-old tradition of military members strengthening their faith with Scripture—now under attack by rogue anti-faith activists
Our service members love, want and have worn Shields of Strength for decades. That’s why we’re fighting to make sure this outside, anti-faith group doesn’t get away with such blatant religious discrimination.
Faith has a long history in America’s military. Forcing Shields of Strength to pull its dog tags isn’t just harsh and unkind—it’s illegal. The fact is, it’s perfectly constitutional for Americans who love their country to encourage military members with inspirational religious messages.
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