In recent weeks, the war against marriage, religious freedom, and the Second Amendment has intensified as secular progressives – led by Barack Obama – charge ahead with their ultimate goal of destroying America and her Judeo-Christian values.  In spite of these troubled times, the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) remains undeterred in its defense of faith and freedom.  Indeed, while the mainstream media reports that conservatives and Christian values have retreated during the last month, AFLC has gone on the offensive, filing several major briefs in federal courts across the country and even in the U.S. Supreme Court.  Accordingly, we are pleased to report to you AFLC’s significant activities for the month of March, all of which are made possible by your generous support.
- On March 7, AFLC filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of its petition asking the high court to review the constitutionality of the federal “Hate Crimes Act.”  An appellate court previously held that several Michigan pastors and a family values advocate lacked standing to challenge the constitutionality of the controversial federal law.  Although the Supreme Court Justices declined review, to prevail below the Attorney General had to argue that the law would not criminalize our clients’ speech.  Indeed, AFLC was commended by several public leaders – including Congressman Steve King (R-IA) – for challenging this blatantly unconstitutional law.  Read more about this case here.
- On March 11, AFLC filed its opening brief in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, Colorado in defense of Captain Paul Fields, a Tulsa, Oklahoma police officer who was summarily punished for refusing to attend – and refusing to assign officers under his command who shared his religious beliefs to attend – a mandated Islamic proselytizing event held at a local mosque.  The event included mosque tours, watching the weekly prayer service, and receiving presentations on Islamic beliefs.  Read more about this case here.
- On March 14, AFLC filed a letter brief in its legal challenge of the HHS “contraception” mandate on behalf of Priests for Life.  This informative letter discussed why the federal government’s “religious employer” exemption rule is insufficient and therefore does not protect the religious freedom of Priests for Life.  Read more about this case here.
- Also on March 14, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel Robert Muise wrote a letter to the Michigan House Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill No. 4139, which would repeal Michigan’s archaic “peace bond” statute.  This statute is prone to abuse and has been used to silence the First Amendment rights of speakers who engage in unpopular speech.  The bill to repeal the “peace bond” statute is sponsored by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills), an ardent supporter of our constitutional freedoms.  Read the letter here.
- On March 25, AFLC filed a brief in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction, which seeks to protect the free speech rights of Christian evangelists who were threatened with arrest by Wayne County deputies for “disorderly conduct” at the 2012 Dearborn, Michigan Arab Festival because an angry mob of Muslim counter-protestors engaged in violence in response to the Christians’ protected speech.  Read more about this case here.
- Throughout the month, AFLC took the depositions of several defendants in AFLC’s civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of four Christian missionarieswho were unlawfully arrested for preaching the Gospel to Muslims at the 2010 Dearborn Arab Festival.  Among the deponents were several police officers involved in the incident as well as the Mayor of Dearborn, John O’Reilly.  Read more about this important case here.
- And the list goes on . . . .
Thank you for all of your support, past and present. May God continue to bless American and guide her in truth and liberty.