WHO: ADF Senior Counsel Nate Kellum and Love in Action International Executive Director Rev. John J. Smid
WHAT: Press conference following announcement of settlement in
Love in Action International v. Bredesen WHEN: Friday, Oct. 27, at 3:30 p.m. CDT
WHERE: Love in Action headquarters, 4780 Yale Rd., Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum and Love in Action International Executive Director Rev. John J. Smid will be available to answer questions from the media at Love in Action International’s headquarters Thursday regarding the settlement of their lawsuit against Tennessee officials.
“The only purpose of this private organization is to serve people who, by their own free will, are seeking changes in their life,” said Kellum. “We are pleased that mission will now be allowed to continue without the burden of unnecessary regulation by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health. Love in Action will no longer be subject to harassment from authorities.”
After deeming Love in Action a “mental health supportive living facility” in August 2005, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities demanded the organization either obtain a license or face possible closure.
The settlement can be read here: (
www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LoveInActionDismissal.pdf). In September 2005, ADF filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Love in Action (
www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=3546).
According to Smid, Love in Action, a private 501(c)3 organization, exists to be a Christ-centered ministry for the prevention or remediation of unhealthy and destructive behaviors facing families, adults, and adolescents (
www.loveinaction.org).
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
www.telladf.org