Today, the United States Supreme Court announced it has agreed to hear Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.
Michael Berry, Deputy General Counsel at First Liberty Institute, said, “Our constitution guarantees the rights of free exercise of religion and free speech for every American. By granting review of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the Supreme Court of the United States has indicated that it wants to consider whether people of faith who operate a business will be welcomed to the public square or driven from it.”
“Americans want a diverse public square that tolerates a variety of beliefs and opinions. We hope the Supreme Court will use this opportunity to protect people like First Liberty clients, Aaron and Melissa Klein, who have been forced out of business because the State of Oregon would not tolerate them operating their business according to their religious conscience,” Berry stated.
First Liberty clients Aaron and Melissa Klein, owners of Oregon-based cake shop “Sweet Cakes by Melissa” are in a similar battle for their religious freedom. After declining to create a custom cake for a same sex wedding, the State of Oregon punish them with a $135,000 penalty and issued a gag order against them, ultimately forcing them to shut down their bakery.
Berry added, “No one should lose their livelihood because the government disagrees with their religious beliefs.”
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