In recent weeks, the war againstĀ marriage, religious freedom, and theĀ Second AmendmentĀ has intensified as secular progressives ā led by Barack Obama ā charge ahead with their ultimate goal of destroying America and her Judeo-Christian values. Ā In spite of these troubled times, theĀ American Freedom Law CenterĀ (AFLC) remains undeterred in its defense of faith and freedom. Ā Indeed, while the mainstream media reports that conservatives and Christian values have retreated during the last month, AFLC has gone on theĀ offensive, filing several major briefs in federal courts across the country and even in the U.S. Supreme Court. Ā Accordingly, we are pleased to report to you AFLCās significant activities for the month of March, all of which are made possible by your generousĀ support.- On March 7, AFLC filed a brief in theĀ U.S. Supreme CourtĀ in support of its petition asking the high court to review the constitutionality of the federal “Hate Crimes Act.” Ā 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. Ā Although the Supreme Court Justices declined review, to prevail below the Attorney General had to argue that the law would not criminalize our clientsā speech. Ā Indeed, AFLC was commended by several public leaders ā including Congressman Steve King (R-IA) ā for challenging this blatantly unconstitutional law. Ā Read more about this caseĀ here.
- On March 11, AFLC filed its opening brief in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, Colorado in defense ofĀ Captain Paul Fields, a Tulsa, Oklahoma police officer who was summarily punished for refusing to attend ā and refusing to assign officers under his command who shared his religious beliefs to attend ā a mandated Islamic proselytizing event held at a local mosque. Ā The event included mosque tours, watching the weekly prayer service, and receiving presentations on Islamic beliefs. Ā Read more about this caseĀ here.
- On March 14, AFLC filed a letter brief in its legal challenge of theĀ HHS “contraception” mandateĀ on behalf ofĀ Priests for Life. Ā This informative letter discussed why the federal governmentās āreligious employerā exemption rule is insufficient and therefore does not protect the religious freedom of Priests for Life. Ā Read more about this caseĀ here.
- Also on March 14, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel Robert Muise wrote a letter to theĀ Michigan House Judiciary CommitteeĀ in support of House Bill No. 4139, which would repeal Michiganās archaic āpeace bondā statute. Ā This statute is prone to abuse and has been used to silence the First Amendment rights of speakers who engage in unpopular speech. Ā The bill to repeal the āpeace bondā statute is sponsored byĀ Rep. Tom McMillinĀ (R-Rochester Hills), an ardent supporter of our constitutional freedoms. Ā Read the letterĀ 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 ofĀ Christian evangelistsĀ who were threatened with arrest by Wayne County deputies for ādisorderly conductā at the 2012 Dearborn, Michigan Arab Festival because an angry mob of Muslim counter-protestors engaged in violence in response to the Christiansā protected speech. Ā Read more about this caseĀ here.
- Throughout the month, AFLC took the depositions of several defendants in AFLCās civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf ofĀ four Christian missionarieswho were unlawfully arrested for preaching the Gospel to Muslims at the 2010 Dearborn Arab Festival. Ā Among the deponents were several police officers involved in the incident as well as theĀ Mayor of Dearborn, John OāReilly. Ā Read more about this important caseĀ 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.