SAN FRANCISCO —Alliance Defense Fund and ProtectMarriage attorneys are calling the California Supreme Court’s rejection of a lawsuit against the state’s proposed marriage amendment an appropriate decision on a frivolous lawsuit. The attorneys say they will vigorously defend against any additional legal attacks filed to deny the right of Californians to vote on marriage.
“Equality California and its allies were desperate to evade the democratic process. They already used the courts to erase the votes of nearly 5 million Californians who voted to protect marriage. We’re pleased the court did not allow them to silence the people’s voice this November as well,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum. “The opponents of marriage have proven that they are willing to use any means necessary to impose their will.”
The California high court declined to hear the anti-amendment lawsuit, Bennett v. Bowen, filed June 20 by Equality California. The suit sought to prevent Californians from voting on the state’s marriage amendment even though it already qualified for inclusion in the Nov. 4 election (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4592).
The California Secretary of State certified the citizen initiative for the November ballot on June 3. If approved by voters, Proposition 8, the California Marriage Protection Act, will add the following words to California’s constitution: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
www.telladf.org www.domawatch.org