We are pleased to report to you each month our significant activities and accomplishments, all of which are made possible by your generous support. Â Here are the highlights for May 2014:
- On May 8, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel Robert Muise presented oral argument in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in our challenge to the HHS contraception mandate on behalf of Priests for Life. Muise argued that the mandate imposes a substantial burden on Priests for Life’s religious exercise in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the U.S. Constitution.
- Immediately after the hearing, Muise and AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel David Yerushalmi spoke at a religious freedom rally [see here and here] held outside of the courthouse. Other speakers included several members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz, and numerous national pro-life and pro-family leaders.
- On May 13, a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board’s (TTAB) denial of the trademark application for “Stop the Islamisation of America” or “SIOA.” In its ruling, the court agreed with the TTAB and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that the trademark disparaged Muslims and linked them to terrorism. AFLC will likely seek review of this ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court.
- On May 22, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed a lower court decision that the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and two of its senior police officials did not violate the constitutional rights of Captain Paul Fields, a Tulsa police officer who was summarily punished for objecting to an order mandating attendance at an Islamic proselytizing event held at a local mosque based on his religious beliefs. AFLC will be filing a petition for full court review of this erroneous decision.
- On May 23, AFLC filed a renewed motion for summary judgment in its case defending the Center for Security Policy (CSP) and others who were sued by CAIR for conducting an undercover documentary designed to expose CAIR’s nefarious activities.  In this motion, AFLC highlighted the court’s errors in its prior ruling and thus requested that the court reconsider its decision and grant summary judgment in AFLC’s favor on the few remaining claims.  The court previously denied CAIR’s motion in its entirety.
- On May 27, Muise appeared on Fox News’ The Kelly File to discuss the recent ruling in Captain Fields’ case.
Thank you once again for all of your support, past and present.  May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America!