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NH Christians arrested, asked: ‘Where is your God now?’- 10.7.2009

HAMPTON, N.H. — Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys filed suit Wednesday in federal court on behalf of two Christians arrested for sharing their faith and singing worship songs on a public sidewalk in the Hampton Beach area. Police arrested the two men, charging them under a state law against “unreasonable or loud” noise, but the law has not been used against other much louder activities in the very busy beach district, including bands sponsored by the village precinct to increase business in the area. Read more...

Participation in second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday more than doubles from last year- 10.5.2009

Eighty-three churches from 30 states and the District of Columbia participated in the Alliance Defense Fund’s second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday on Sept. 27. Pastors at those churches preached biblically-based sermons about the positions of electoral candidates and current government officials. More than twice the number of pastors participating in last year’s inaugural event exercised their constitutional right to free religious expression this year, despite a controversial rule often used by the Internal Revenue Service and activist groups to silence churches. Read more...

Trashing free speech: Oregon State Univ. piles student paper's distribution bins next to dumpster- 9.30.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Oregon State University officials on behalf of the OSU Students Alliance, a recognized student organization that publishes an independent student paper. The paper, The Liberty, had its distribution bins - containing copies of the latest issue of the paper - confiscated without notice and thrown next to a dumpster by university officials, who claim they did so as part of an effort to beautify the campus. The numerous distribution bins of the other student newspaper, The Daily Barometer, were left untouched. Read more...

Federal government bans religious references on ornaments for 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree- 9.29.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to federal and state officials, including Arizona Governor Janice Brewer Monday, calling for them to stop enforcing a requirement prohibiting the state’s schoolchildren from expressing religious viewpoints through Christmas themes while decorating ornaments for the 2009 Capitol Christmas Tree. Arizona was chosen this year to present 4,000 handcrafted ornaments made by elementary, middle-school, and high-school students to decorate Washington, D.C.’s annual Christmas tree. Read more...

Pastors ready for second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday on Sept. 27- 9.24.2009

More than 80 pastors nationwide will be participating in the Alliance Defense Fund’s second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday on Sept. 27. The pastors will preach sermons related to biblical perspectives on the positions of electoral candidates or current government officials, exercising their constitutional right to free religious expression despite a problematic Internal Revenue Service rule that activists groups often use to silence churches. Read more...

Court: City council violated rights of Kansas woman muzzled at public hearing- 9.17.2009

A federal court ruled Wednesday that the Mulvane City Council violated the First Amendment rights of a citizen thrown out of a public hearing when she attempted to respectfully express her moral concerns about a proposed gambling casino. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represented Jacque Farnsworth, the Christian woman who was ushered out of the meeting even though people in favor of the casino project had been allowed to speak. Read more...

Churches sue city of Phoenix over ordinance prohibiting ringing of church bells- 9.2.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against the city of Phoenix on behalf of three churches, claiming that a noise ordinance prohibiting the ringing of their bells is unconstitutional. St. Mark Roman Catholic Parish, First Christian Church, and Christ the King Liturgical Charismatic Church have challenged the vague noise ordinance because it offers an exemption for ice cream trucks but not for churches. Christ the King Church joined in the lawsuit after its pastor, Bishop Rick Painter, was sentenced to jail for violating a city ordinance for ringing his church’s bells as a way of praising God. Read more...

Lawsuit filed after Idaho commission bans all religious texts from curriculum- 9.1.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Idaho Public Charter School Commission on behalf of Nampa Classical Academy, which was threatened with the revocation of its charter if it utilizes the Bible or any other religious documents or text as part of its curriculum resources. Despite the fact that numerous public schools throughout the state and country constitutionally allow the objective study of the Bible as an educational resource, the commission will immediately proceed to revoke its charter if the school does not remove the religious text from its curriculum. Read more...

NH court orders home-schooled child into government-run school- 8.26.2009

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney filed motions with a New Hampshire court Monday asking it to reconsider and stay its decision to order a 10-year-old home-schooled girl into a government-run school in Meredith. Read more...

There they go again: Univ. of Wis. back in court over discrimination- 8.19.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the University of Wisconsin-Madison on behalf of a student group denied access to student fees because of the viewpoints it expresses. This is the sixth lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin system in which ADF has been involved. Read more...

ADF rebuts NY hospital’s claim that pro-life nurse can’t sue- 8.19.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys submitted a brief in federal court Monday in response to the claim of New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital that a pro-life nurse who sued the hospital has no right to defend herself in court. ADF filed suit after the hospital forced senior nurse Cathy Cenzon-DeCarlo to participate in a late-term abortion procedure. Read more...

ADF to Idaho Public Charter School Commission: Bible is not a banned book- 8.13.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a legal memorandum Wednesday with the Idaho Public Charter School Commission on behalf of Nampa Classical Academy, which may have its charter denied by the commission if it goes ahead with its plan to use the Bible as an educational resource. Despite the commission’s objection, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that it is entirely constitutional for the Bible to be studied objectively as an educational resource. Read more...

Massive extremist attacks on Christians spur ADF funding for legal defense project in India- 8.12.2009

The Alliance Defense Fund is providing new funding to defend the legal rights of Christians being harshly persecuted by Hindu extremists in India. The project, established by the Christian Legal Association, a national network of legal professionals in India affiliated with Advocates International, will employ seven attorneys, six activists, and 10 part-time volunteers to assist in putting an end to the violence by working together with public officials to enforce the law. Read more...

ADF attorneys advise Chesapeake officials regarding constitutionality of invocations- 8.4.2009

The Alliance Defense Fund together with The Family Foundation of Virginia sent a letter to Chesapeake Mayor Alan Krasnoff and other city officials Tuesday, offering to provide pro bono legal assistance if the city adopts a model prayer policy that subsequently gets attacked in court. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based atheist group, has threatened the city over its practice of opening public meetings with prayer. Read more...

ADF plans to appeal Okla. Ten Commandments case to U.S. Supreme Court- 7.31.2009

In a 6-to-6 decision, the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit Thursday narrowly decided not to review a three-judge panel’s determination that a Ten Commandments display at the Haskell County, Oklahoma, Courthouse is unconstitutional. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund plan to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read more...

3rd Circuit: NJ ministry will be heard on right to use property according to beliefs- 7.17.2009

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled Wednesday that a New Jersey ministry represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys should have its First Amendment claims heard in federal district court. Read more...

Free speech forbidden in ‘free speech area’ at Georgia Southern Univ.- 7.13.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday against Georgia Southern University officials on behalf of a Christian man arrested for sharing his faith in the campus’s “free speech area.” A university official and campus police officer told the man that he needed to apply for a permit to exercise his free speech rights before he was eventually thrown in jail. Read more...

More than reaching the bar: ADF-allied attorneys honored for dedicated service- 6.30.2009

The Alliance Defense Fund honored six allied attorneys last week that have provided thousands of hours of dedicated, pro-bono service in defense of religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family. The value of those hours amounts to millions of dollars in free legal services that they have provided to clients in need. Read more...

CLS, ADF appeal lawsuit against U. of Mont. School of Law- 6.19.2009

Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom and the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Thursday in a case filed against the University of Montana School of Law by the Christian Legal Society and its student chapter at the school. Read more...

Fla. school district singles out church VBS fliers for censorship- 6.18.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit in federal court Tuesday after the Collier County School Board rejected a church’s attempt to participate in a flier distribution program open to other community groups. The board refused to allow Cypress Wood Presbyterian Church to advertise its upcoming Vacation Bible School because of the religious nature of the event even though the school district has allowed fliers from other religious and non-religious community groups. Read more...

ADF attorneys consider appeal of Ten Commandments ruling- 6.9.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are reviewing possible options for appeal after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit Monday reversed a lower court decision that upheld the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments display at the Haskell County, Oklahoma, Courthouse. The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit to have the monument removed on behalf of a man who claims he was offended by it. Read more...

ADF: U.S. Supreme Court should stop ACLU’s attacks on veterans’ memorials- 6.8.2009

A brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court Monday asks the court to reject the contention of the American Civil Liberties Union that veterans’ memorials in the form of crosses are unconstitutional. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, Advocates for Faith and Freedom, and the American Legion Department of California filed the friend-of-the-court brief, which argues for the lifting of a court order that covered a cross-shaped veterans’ memorial in California’s Mojave Desert with a large box. Read more...

Phoenix bishop sentenced to jail for ringing church bells- 6.3.2009

A Phoenix bishop received a suspended sentence of 10 days in jail and three years probation Wednesday for violating a Phoenix noise ordinance because his church rang its bells hourly as a way of praising God. The ordinance does not include an exemption for religious worship, though it does provide an exemption for ice cream trucks. Bishop Rick Painter of Cathedral of Christ the King has retained attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to pursue legal options to defend his rights. Read more...

ADF on Supreme Court nomination: Judges should always rule according to the law- 5.26.2009

With President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund reiterated their position on all judicial appointments: that true justice is only achieved when judges rule according to the law and the Constitution and do not legislate from the bench. Read more...

NY woman arrested for sharing faith in public park files suit against Oyster Bay- 5.18.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Friday on behalf of Jews for Jesus against the town of Oyster Bay, where a Christian woman was arrested for verbally sharing her faith and distributing literature at an outdoor public concert. Twice, Oyster Bay’s permit-for-free-speech ordinance has been ruled unconstitutional, and an ADF-allied attorney secured a dismissal of the town’s charges against the woman in March. Read more...

Defense of Ariz. tax credit program continues- 5.15.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed an appeal Thursday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on behalf of the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization. In the appeal to a larger panel of the court, ADF attorneys argue that Arizona’s tuition tax credit program, which allows state residents to claim a tax credit for donations to private organizations that provide scholarships to private schools, is fully consistent with the Constitution because individual, private choices--not government action--cause money to flow to the schools. Read more...

ADF attorneys ask for free speech to be restored at U.S. national parks- 5.11.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a notice of appeal Monday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Boardley v. Department of Interior, asking the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review federal regulations that require even individuals to apply for a permit before exercising their First Amendment rights in designated areas of national parks across the country. ADF filed the lawsuit on behalf of a Minnesota man prohibited from passing out religious literature near the visitor’s center at Mt. Rushmore National Park. Read more...

ADF files brief in defense of Boy Scouts at U.S. Supreme Court - 5.6.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Thomas More Law Center filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of the Boy Scouts of America, challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union for maintaining and beautifying parks leased from the city of San Diego. The brief asks the court to consider the impact of such lawsuits on the ability of faith-based groups to provide non-religious services that have greatly benefitted cities and communities since the founding of the nation. Read more...

Court puts hold on flawed policy in ‘In God We Trust’ school censorship case - 5.1.2009

A federal court Friday suspended a policy used by Wilson County Schools officials to censor “In God We Trust” and other phrases referencing God and prayer on posters in the hallways of Lakeview Elementary School. The court determined that parents and students represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys who filed suit against the school board are likely to succeed in their claims and ordered the policy halted while the case moves forward in court. Read more...

ADF: U.S. Senate should not pass ‘hate crimes’ bill- 5.1.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys warn that the U.S. Senate should not pass H.R. 1913, the so-called ‘hate crimes’ bill. If it becomes law, ADF attorneys say the bill could severely impede Americans’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression while creating additional legal protections for those engaged in homosexual behavior that are not available to everyone else. Read more...

Parents appeal conviction for protecting daughter from German ‘sex education’ program- 4.21.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys are representing two German parents in an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights filed Tuesday. The two parents were convicted under German law when they chose to educate their child at home on the subject of sexuality rather than allow her to participate in a four-day “sexual education” course and related stage production at her school, both of which taught views of sexuality in conflict with the family’s Christian faith. Read more...

Prosecution of German Parents Has Ominous Implications for U.S. Families- 4.28.2009

Ordinarily, I keep the focus of these columns on court cases and litigation based here in the United States. But anyone keenly watching the political skies has to realize that legal clouds are gathering dark and fast over other parts of the world – particularly Europe – and those clouds, sooner than we want to think, will be precipitating undesirable judicial activity on this side of the Atlantic. Read more...

Park ban is no picnic for Fla. church- 4.24.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of St. Faustina Old Catholic Church against the city of Pensacola after a police officer ordered the church’s pastor to cease holding picnics at a popular historic public park downtown. Police declared Plaza Ferdinand VII a "non-event park," even though no city ordinances designate it as such, and public access and events occur there on a regular basis. Read more...

Churchgoers given no place to go- 4.21.2009

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Daniel P. Dalton will be available for media interviews Wednesday following a hearing in the lawsuit Grace Community Church v. Lenox Township, which seeks to return a congregation back to its building. Dalton is asking the court to stop Lenox Township from imposing unlawful, discriminatory, and burdensome requirements upon the church in violation of federal law. Read more...

E. Mich. Univ. ousts student for not affirming homosexual behavior- 4.3.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit against Eastern Michigan University Thursday after school officials dismissed a student from the school’s counseling program for not affirming homosexual behavior as morally acceptable. The school dismissed Julea Ward from the program because she would not agree prior to a counseling session to affirm a client’s homosexual behavior and would not retract her stance in subsequent disciplinary proceedings. Read more...

Village’s discriminatory rental fee forces Mich. church to stop meeting - 3.27.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday on behalf of Forest Area Bible Church after unfair rental fees imposed by the village of Fife Lake forced the congregation to stop meeting in a local building. While religious organizations are charged by the village, many non-religious community groups are permitted to meet free of charge. Read more...

School rules out religion: Atlanta Public Schools challenged after blocking club - 3.26.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a complaint Wednesday against the Atlanta Public Schools on behalf of a student and his mother. The two claim their constitutional rights have been violated by school officials who have repeatedly denied their Christian club access to the same rights, benefits, and privileges given to all other student clubs at Sutton Middle School. Read more...

FEMA denies debris clean-up to Ark. church that aided FEMA, storm victims - 3.26.2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied storm debris clean-up to a Paragould church whose property the agency used for its debris clean-up efforts in the community and despite the efforts of church members to assist with the clean-up after recent ice storms. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to FEMA officials on behalf of the church Wednesday. Read more...

Disabled children lose fight against ACLU - 3.25.2009

The American Civil Liberties Union won its fight against disabled children Wednesday when the Arizona Supreme Court struck down a state program that allowed special needs kids to use vouchers at private schools so that they could receive the best educational opportunities. ADF attorneys joined attorneys from the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe last year in submitting a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of a Christian school in defense of the voucher program, which was upheld by the Arizona Court of Appeals. Read more...

ADF: Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial cross is constitutional - 3.25.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in defense of a 55-year-old cross located at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial. The American Civil Liberties Union and its allies are challenging the constitutionality of the cross, which is located on federal land at the memorial. ADF attorneys represent The American Legion Department of California in the case. Read more...

Serbian Parliament to vote on ‘non-discrimination’ law - 3.18.2009

The Serbian Parliament will debate and vote on a so-called “non-discrimination” law Wednesday, but religious organizations and churches represented in part by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund point out that the proposed law will actually clash with existing fundamental rights of religious freedom and religious expression. Read more...

National Day of Prayer Under Attack - 3.17.2009

Apparently, just the idea of people praying right out loud in public is enough to drive some people crazy. And the thought that a whole nation of people – tens of thousands in cities and on school campuses and in churches and kitchens and living rooms all over America – might be praying more or less together, on the same day, for the same things, is enough to bring some people … well, to their knees. Read more...

ADF appeals ruling that continues to allow two hours of 'free speech' per week at SLU - 3.12.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have appealed a judge's decision to allow Southeastern Louisiana University to enforce its permit requirement and two-hours-per-week "free speech" policy against a Christian speaker while his lawsuit against the school continues. Read more...

Penn. police officer punished for upholding the law- 3.12.2009

ADF-allied attorneys filed a lawsuit against officials of Kutztown University and its police chief Monday on behalf of a police officer who refused to violate the constitutional rights of a group of Christians peacefully communicating on various issues on campus. As a result of Corporal Steven Armbruster's objection to forcefully removing them from the campus, the Kutztown Univ. Police Dept. suspended him without pay for five days, issued him a disciplinary letter, and threatened him with termination if he takes a similar stand in the future. Read more...

Wash. college students threatened with expulsion for 'discriminatory' pro-life message- 3.11.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit Monday against Community Colleges of Spokane and Spokane Falls Community College officials for violating the constitutional rights of pro-life students. SFCC officials threatened Beth Sheeran and members of a Christian student group with disciplinary measures, including expulsion, if they chose to hold a pro-life event on campus to share information with other students because the message was "discriminatory" and did not include a pro-abortion viewpoint. Read more...

ADF attorneys ask U.S. Supreme Court to hear ‘Truth’ case- 3.10.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday asking the justices to review a case involving Christian students who continue to be denied their constitutional rights. Since September of 2001, officials at Kentridge High School in Seattle have refused to grant official recognition to the Truth Bible Club because they require their members to hold certain religious beliefs. Read more...

Illinois High School Association: Private schools can’t pray before games- 3.4.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys urged the Illinois High School Association in a letter sent Wednesday to terminate its policy banning private schools from praying or delivering religious messages over public address systems before IHSA tournament games hosted at private schools. ADF attorneys also offered the IHSA free legal representation in the event it is sued for rescinding its new rule if it decides to do so. Read more...

NY’s Broome Community College shuts door on everyone to keep church out- 3.4.2009

Just two days after attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit so that churches can rent facilities at Broome Community College in the same way that other groups are allowed to, the college’s executive council has voted to prevent anyone from renting the school’s facilities on weekends. Read more...

Tenn. school censors ‘God Bless the USA,’ ‘In God We Trust’- 3.3.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of parents and students at Lakeview Elementary School in Wilson County after school officials ordered “God Bless the USA,” “In God We Trust,” and other phrases referencing God and prayer to be covered up on posters before they could be displayed in the school’s hallways. The posters were hand-drawn by students and their families to announce “See You at the Pole,” a voluntary, student-led prayer event held outside of class time. Read more...

NY’s Broome Community College sweeps church off campus - 2.24.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of North Pointe Church against the Broome Community College board of directors and administrators after school officials enforced a policy banning groups that engage in “religious services and observances.” College officials gave the church two weeks’ notice that it was being forced out of its regularly rented facility by March. Read more...

ADF attorneys appeal ruling against student groups at San Diego State University- 2.23.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom have appealed a federal court’s ruling against Christian student organizations at San Diego State University, arguing that university officials infringed on the First Amendment rights of the student groups. Read more...

ADF attorneys advise La Crosse officials regarding constitutionality of invocations- 2.17.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent an informational letter offering to provide pro bono legal assistance to La Crosse Common Council officials Thursday if the city adopts a model prayer policy that subsequently gets attacked in court. Read more...

Religious Freedom at Risk on Tax-funded College Campuses- 2.16.2009

Jonathan Lopez is working toward an associate of arts degree at Los Angeles City College in California. One of his required classes: Public Speaking. The additional lesson in his free speech rights was not something he anticipated. Read more...

Court reminds Ithaca police: Noise ordinance silencing Christian speech still unconstitutional- 2.13.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys received a favorable judgment against the city of Ithaca Thursday after filing suit when city police officers told Jim Deferio that he couldn't share his faith at Ithaca Commons, even after showing the officers a court order prohibiting them from enforcing an unconstitutional "noise" ordinance. Read more...

Calif. professor to student: "Ask God what your grade is"- 2.12.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit against officials of the Los Angeles Community College District Wednesday. The lawsuit comes after a professor censored and threatened to expel a student following a speech about marriage and his Christian faith during an open-ended assignment in a public speaking class. read more...

NJ town: Permit required to exercise free speech- 2.10.2009

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have filed suit in federal court on behalf of a New Jersey Christian man told he could not distribute literature on a public sidewalk without a permit. ADF attorneys also filed a motion Tuesday asking the court to halt the permit scheme while the man pursues his case against the city of Wildwood. read more...

NY school district refuses to recognize Bible club- 2.5.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday after Lindenhurst Union Free School District officials repeatedly refused to grant official recognition to a student-run Bible club. read more...

Mass. law restricting speech around abortion clinics challenged on appeal- 1.27.2009

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney together with ADF attorneys have filed a brief on behalf of pro-life advocates in federal appellate court against a Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot “buffer” zone around abortion clinics. The brief argues that the law essentially eliminates free speech rights within the zone by restricting pro-life advocates from sharing their message with people entering the clinics. read more...

ADF Moves To Protect Californians Who Supported Proposition 8- 1.20.2009

California's campaign finance laws probably seemed like a good idea when first enacted. To keep the election process transparent, the state requires a public record of anyone who supports a political campaign, even if their gift is as relatively small as $100. The problem is that the records, posted on the Secretary of State's website, lists not only these donors' names, but their place of employment and other personal information. read more...

ADF memo urges European Parliament to reject resolution on social policy- 1.14.2009

The Alliance Defense Fund submitted a legal memo to members of the European Parliament, the advisory body to the European Union, Tuesday urging it to vote against a resolution on social policy introduced by a communist member. The proposed resolution promotes same-sex “partnerships,” abortion, and censorship of moral expressions on homosexual behavior. read more...

ADF attorneys file suit to stop harassment of Calif. marriage amendment supporters - 1.8.2009

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys together with ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of ProtectMarriage.com and the National Organization for Marriage California to prevent harassment of citizens who gave as little as $100 to support Proposition 8. The lawsuit documents incidents of harassment and retaliation by opponents who have targeted Proposition 8 supporters after their identities and employers were made public by the state as required by California campaign finance law. read more...

ADF: Court should reject ACLU demand to end popular school program - 1.6.2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday on behalf of Associated Churches of Huntington County in defense of the county's school district. A parent represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit seeking to prevent eight of the county's elementary schools from continuing to allow a non-taxpayer-funded religious education program to meet on campus. read more...

ADF: Ariz. shouldn't block disabled students from using vouchers - 12.9.2008

The Arizona Supreme Court should reject the demands of an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit seeking to prevent special needs children from using vouchers at private religious schools, say attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund in a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the case, which the court heard Tuesday. ADF attorneys joined attorneys from the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in submitting the brief on behalf of a Christian school. read more...

ADF: U.S. Supreme Court should hear NJ coach's prayer case - 11.20.2008

The Alliance Defense Fund has joined other pro-liberty organizations in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a New Jersey football coach. The East Brunswick School District prohibited the coach from silently bowing his head or kneeling while his team prayed. read more...

Indiana's 'In God We Trust' plate in, Indiana woman's 'GOD' plate out - 11.18.2008

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Monday challenging an Indiana statute that does not allow references to religion or a deity on personalized license plates even though the state itself issues "In God We Trust" specialty plates. ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit against the commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles on behalf of a woman whose application to renew her nine-year-old personalized plate was denied because of its reference to God. read more...

Police in NY shrug off court order, deny religious free speech - 11.13.2008

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Ithaca on behalf of a Christian man denied his free speech rights even after he showed police officers a court order prohibiting them from enforcing an unconstitutional "noise" ordinance. ADF attorneys also filed a motion asking the court to suspend the ordinance while the case moves forward. read more...

ACLU threatens La. town over festival with Christian participants - 11.7.2008

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have sent a letter of support to the city of Thibodaux after it was threatened by the American Civil Liberties Union over an annual fall festival held in the city that includes Christian artists and performers. read more...

ADF prepared to fight looming leftist agenda - 11.7.2008

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will be monitoring actions by the new administration and new Congress to see if they make good on promises to pursue damaging policy changes that will harm Americans. read more...

Southeastern Louisiana University: Christian speaker needs permit to share faith - 11.5.2008

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit against Southeastern Louisiana University officials Tuesday after they denied a Christian speaker the right to hand out tracts, display banners, and share the Gospel in an area of the campus reserved for outside speakers. Campus police told the man that he needed to apply for a permit, even though other speakers have been allowed in the past to distribute literature and speak on their beliefs without one. read more...

ADF attorneys appeal ruling against halting flawed sign ordinance - 10.27.2008

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have appealed a federal judge's decision to allow enforcement of a problematic sign ordinance in the town of Gilbert while the lawsuit moves forward in court. After initially agreeing not to enforce the provisions of its code that discriminated against churches, the city amended its code in January in a way that did not fix any of the code's constitutional flaws. read more...

ADF brief defends 'period of silence' in Illinois schools - 10.27.2008

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in federal court Thursday in defense of an Illinois law allowing a "period of silence" for students attending the state's public schools. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the atheist who filed the suit, which seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional. read more...

Police prevent more Md. pro-lifers from sharing message - 10.24.2008

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed a lawsuit Thursday against the city of Westminster on behalf of pro-life organization Defend Life. Police insisted that participants in Defend Life's "Face the Truth" 2008 tour needed permits to peacefully share their pro-life message along a public street. read more...

ADF attorneys file suit after Penn. school prohibits religious fliers - 10.22.2008

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday after school district officials in Haverford Township denied a local Christian ministry access to a flier distribution program that is open to other groups.read more...

ADF attorneys ready to defend students participating in pro-life event - 10.20.2008

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are ready to offer free legal help to students at schools across the nation who participate in the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, should the students' First Amendment rights be violated. The Tuesday event offers pro-life students an opportunity to express their viewpoint on the subject of abortion.read more...

Speak Freely! (On Tuesdays or Thursdays) - 10.7.08

We can all picture it – common areas of colleges packed full of tables with different clubs, sororities, or fraternities recruiting members. The bulletin board in a cafeteria or coffee shop stapled full of fliers, classifieds, or announcements. All forms of free speech seen – or heard – around the clock, every day. On more than one campus, though, administrators are trying to limit even the most fundamental forms of free speech. read more...

Atlanta: Bars, restaurants welcome, but churches—look elsewhere - 10.6.08

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys filed suit Thursday against the city of Atlanta for refusing to permit a church to use its leased property for religious purposes. Because of the city's unlawful zoning restrictions, the church has undergone severe hardship and is on the verge of closing its doors. read more...

Churches vs. Cities - 10.2.08

A church building's doors forced shut. Its members not allowed to meet in their own building. Sounds like something missionaries report from foreign countries unfriendly to Christians—like from behind the Iron Curtain. But not this time.
This time, once again, it's happening right here on our own turf. read more...

Yuba College: 'Free speech' tolerated two hours per week - 9.30.08

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit Monday against Yuba Community College District officials after they threatened a student with arrest and expulsion for sharing a Christian message along a Yuba College walkway. District policies limit student free speech activities to two hours per week and require students to obtain permission two weeks in advance. read more...

ADF prepared to defend churches against possible IRS free speech investigations - 9.29.08

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they are prepared to defend the First Amendment rights of pastors who engaged in free speech from the pulpit on Pulpit Freedom Sunday Sept. 28. read more...

Pulpit Freedom Sunday - 9.25.08

Pastors participating in the Alliance Defense Fund's "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" will preach from their pulpits Sept. 28 about the moral qualifications of candidates seeking political office. The pastors will exercise their First Amendment right to preach on the subject, despite federal tax regulations that prohibit intervening or participating in a political campaign. read more...

Fla. Christian barred from sharing faith files suit - 9.15.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit Friday on behalf of a Christian threatened with arrest for expressing a religious message on a public sidewalk in Lake Worth. An officer told Martin Mikhail the Bible was a “work of fiction” and threatened him with arrest. He was also informed that he would need to obtain a permit before he could share his faith with passers-by. read more...

Wis. school district charges fees to Christian groups, not others - 9.11.08

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit against the Sun Prairie Area School District Wednesday on behalf of Open Door Church of Sun Prairie. The lawsuit challenges the district's policy that charges religious groups fees for using public school facilities while giving non-religious community groups a free ride. read more...

ADF: Opposing porn is free speech, not a conspiracy - 9.9.08

On behalf of 31 of Cincinnati's most prominent pastors and pro-family leaders, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys Monday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the publisher of City Beat newspaper. Lightborne Publishing alleges that the pro-family leaders and others conspired to violate the publisher's free speech rights and diminish its profits by voicing concerns about thinly-veiled ads for prostitution and other sex services. read more...

Pulpit Freedom- 9.8.08

You may be aware of a special project we're undertaking here at the Alliance Defense Fund, culminating in an event on Sunday, September 28 called Pulpit Freedom Sunday. We are excited about this opportunity that will, God-willing, give us the opportunity to restore now missing aspects of the First Amendment to our nation's spiritual leaders. It's no surprise that not everyone agrees and we have recently come under attack. read more...

Young pro-lifers jailed, shackled, strip searched for peacefully sharing message - 9.3.08

Alliance Defense Fund and allied attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Harford County, the town of Bel Air, and seven police officials on behalf of three young, pro-life women. At least a dozen police officers arrived in more than seven marked vehicles and then arrested, jailed, shackled, and/or strip searched 18 pro-life advocates, including the three women, after they held signs and shared their message along a public street. read more...

ADF attorneys advise Mesa County officials regarding constitutionality of invocations - 8.22.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to Mesa County commissioners in Colorado Friday, providing legal counsel on the constitutionality of opening public meetings with an invocation and offering to defend the county pro bono if it adopts a model prayer policy that subsequently gets attacked in court. read more...

Christians threatened with arrest at N.Y. "gay pride" event file suit- 8.20.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Elmira after police prohibited a group of Christians from expressing their beliefs at a recent event celebrating homosexual behavior.read more...

ADF asks Supreme Court to hear Mich. student religious speech case- 8.11.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court Monday, asking the court to consider whether a fifth-grade student’s religious expression on a classroom project may be categorically identified as "offensive" and therefore legitimately censored by Michigan school officials.read more...

ADF attorneys file brief supporting 'moment of silence' in Texas- 8.11.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit Monday in defense of a Texas law requiring students to observe one minute of silence following the Pledge of Allegiance.read more...

Fla. court: Voters should get say on ending discrimination against faith-based charities- 8.4.08

A Florida court ruled Monday that voters have a right to decide whether to end public funding discrimination against religious individuals and groups for non-religious social services and programs. Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys represent five religious charities in the Sunshine State.read more...

Maricopa School District says no to religious content on fliers- 7.24.08

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday after Maricopa Unified School District officials refused to allow a church to distribute its fliers to students. The district allows non-profit organizations to distribute literature, but only if the fliers do not contain religious material. read more...

City of Modesto excludes Christian speech from public square - 7.23.08

After peacefully sharing his faith almost every Saturday night for three years in a public plaza, a Christian man was told by the city of Modesto that he and his friends can no longer enter the plaza on Saturday nights, prompting attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to file suit against the city Wednesday. read more...

ADF attorneys ask Kansas Gaming Commission to delay casino decision- 7.11.08

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Thursday to the head of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, asking them to delay a final decision on approving a new casino in Mulvane. ADF attorneys are asking the commission to wait until all concerned citizens are no longer denied the right to express their opinions on the casino’s impact. read more...

ADF-allied attorneys set to back Florida fair funding referendum- 7.10.08

A Florida court granted a motion to intervene Thursday that was filed by Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys on behalf of five religious charities in Florida. The goal of the intervention is to allow Florida charities to have a say in whether to end public funding discrimination against religious individuals and groups. read more...


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