Alliance Defense Fund

ADF brief: Teen should not be denied citizenship for saying no to HPV vaccine

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have filed a brief with U.S. immigration officials on behalf of a 17-year-old British girl denied permanent resident status because she declined to be injected with a vaccine that protects against a virus that can only be transmitted by sexual activity.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing over NY Christians arrested after praying in park

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:30:00 GMT

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will argue an appeal before a New York county court Wednesday on behalf of a group of Christians arrested and convicted for praying silently during a public event celebrating homosexual behavior. In 2008, Julian Raven and three others were found “guilty” of disorderly conduct after they lay prostrate on the ground for a few moments during a “Gay Pride” event at a public park.

3rd Circuit hands down precedent-setting abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ decision

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit struck down an ordinance Friday that Alliance Defense Fund attorneys challenged as unconstitutional for prohibiting speech in specified zones outside Pittsburgh abortion clinics. ADF attorneys represent a pro-life nurse who challenged the ordinance, which prohibited her from counseling and speaking with women near the clinics.

Maine counselor's career threatened for support of marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:22:00 GMT

A high school counselor who supports marriage between one man and one woman has been reported to a Maine licensing board because of his views. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represent Donald Mendell, the subject of a complaint filed with the Board of Social Worker Licensure by a co-worker because he expressed support for marriage and the "Vote Yes on One" campaign.

S.D. pro-life group no longer denied access to school campus

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have obtained a settlement from officials with the Rapid City Area School District in a lawsuit involving a pro-life group’s request to use a school auditorium for an after-school meeting. In 2008, ADF filed suit against the school district after it denied Citizens for Life access to school facilities even though it allowed other groups to meet.

Lawsuit against Univ. of Florida ended discrimination against Christian group

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:15:00 GMT

As a result of a lawsuit filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Christian Legal Society, the University of Florida has changed its policy that discriminated against a Christian men’s fraternity and will now allow the fraternity to operate on campus as an official student organization. Because the university changed its policy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit dismissed the lawsuit Tuesday, but university officials continue to defend their previous policy.

Ariz. Supreme Court lets victory for children’s tuition program stand

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:40:00 GMT

The Arizona Supreme Court Tuesday handed a defeat to the American Civil Liberties Union in its attempt to have a program that funds scholarships for low- and middle-income children declared unconstitutional. The court declined to review a ruling by the Court of Appeals that upheld the program.

Everyone welcome - except churches

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court Wednesday after Holly Area School District officials refused to allow a Christian student to distribute personal invitations to a Vacation Bible School even though other students and community groups have been allowed to distribute literature. A teacher told the student that nothing from a church could be distributed at school, and both the principal and the superintendent upheld the decision.

ADF attorneys ask U.S. Supreme Court to review Okla. Ten Commandments decision

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund asked the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit that said a Ten Commandments display at the Haskell County, Okla., courthouse is unconstitutional. A district court had ruled in favor of ADF attorneys representing the county in the lawsuit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, until the 10th Circuit reversed the decision.

ADF: New ‘hate crimes’ law drives another nail into First Amendment’s coffin

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

The new “hate crimes” bill expected to be signed into law by President Obama Wednesday is another nail in the coffin for the First Amendment, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

ADF sues Milwaukee to halt harassment of pro-life advocates

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday against the city of Milwaukee on behalf of several pro-life advocates to end a long pattern of harassment. For years, numerous pro-life advocates peacefully sharing their messages have been arrested, jailed, cited, harassed, threatened, and even physically assaulted. This has occurred even though they have maintained, out of an abundance of caution, a distance of at least 25 feet from any abortion clinic because of a 1993 court order issued against unrelated parties.

ADF attorney available to media after 7th Circuit hearing in ongoing legal battle with U. of Wis

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be available to answer questions from the media at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit following a hearing Tuesday in a lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lorence will be arguing that university officials violated the First Amendment by refusing to fund events of a student Catholic organization even though the school provides funding for the events of other student organizations.

ADF attorney available to media after trial in Tenn. suit over Bible reading at recess

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available for media interviews this week following the last day of trial in Whitson v. Knox County Board of Education, which concerns a 10-year-old student who was prohibited from reading and discussing the Bible during recess. ADF attorneys filed suit against the Knox County Board of Education in June 2005 on behalf of fourth-grader Luke Whitson after school officials prohibited him and other students from reading and discussing the Bible during recess.

City of St. Louis agrees to end unconstitutional literature distribution policy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT

The city of St. Louis has agreed to scrap a problematic literature distribution policy after a federal court ordered the city to stop enforcing it as part of a lawsuit filed by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney. The policy was used to prohibit members of a Christian ministry from distributing literature and speaking about their religious viewpoint at an annual “PrideFest” event that celebrates homosexual behavior. The ministry filed a voluntary dismissal of its lawsuit Wednesday after reaching an agreement with the city.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:00:00 GMT

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

ADF-allied attorney available to media after parental rights hearing

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:14:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney David Dye will be available for media interviews after oral arguments Wednesday in Deeter v. Harner. Dye and ADF-allied attorney Andrea Shaw, both with the Lancaster firm of Clymer & Musser, P.C., are representing a Perry County man in a parental custody battle over his daughter with the husband of his deceased ex-wife.

Court puts hold on policies used against ‘Abortion is not Healthcare’ T-shirt

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:10:00 GMT

A middle school student is temporarily free “to wear his ‘Abortion is not Healthcare’ t-shirt, and other pro-life and/or religious t-shirts,” according to a federal court order issued Monday. The West Shore School District agreed to the order, which also prohibits school officials from enforcing problematic policies challenged by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys in a lawsuit filed Oct. 5, after the student was prohibited from wearing the shirt because “it might insult somebody.”

ADF attorney available for media interviews Tuesday following arguments in ASU pro-life club case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Tuesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in a case involving the free speech rights of pro-life students at Arizona State University. On July 24, 2006, ADF filed suit in federal court on behalf of the student organization ASU Students for Life.

ADF: Illinois ‘period of silence’ isn’t unconstitutional just because someone might pray

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund and allied attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Friday in support of an Illinois law that allows a “period of silence” for the state’s public school students. In January, a federal judge concluded, in a lawsuit filed by an atheist, that that the law was “unconstitutionally vague.”

ADF-allied attorneys reach milestone, donate $100M of pro bono work for religious liberty

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys have reached a major milestone, having donated more than $100 million worth of pro bono litigation work toward the fight for religious liberty across the globe. Since its launch in 1994, more than half a million pro bono hours have been contributed by attorneys trained at the National Litigation Academy, a growing group now totaling more than 1,300.

PA school bans ‘Abortion is not Healthcare’ T-shirt, ADF files suit

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit in federal court last week against the West Shore School District for prohibiting a student from wearing a T-shirt bearing the message, “Abortion is not Healthcare.” Officials at Crossroads Middle School in Lewisberry ordered the student to remove the shirt on the day of President Obama’s public address to students because the officials deemed the shirt “inappropriate,” saying it might insult somebody. The school routinely allows other students to wear a wide variety of messages on their clothing.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available for media interviews at U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Wednesday before the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark case involving a cross-shaped veterans’ memorial currently covered up by a box in California’s Mojave Desert.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:15:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available for media interviews after 2nd Circuit hearing in Bronx church case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be available for media interviews at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in New Haven following a hearing Tuesday in Bronx Household of Faith v. Board of Education of the City of New York. Lorence will argue that the federal district court’s November 2007 permanent injunction allowing churches to rent public school buildings on the same terms and conditions as all other groups should stand.

Texas judge declares state marriage law, state DOMA unconstitutional to hear same-sex ‘marriage’ suit

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:45:00 GMT

A Dallas judge ruled on Thursday to hear a “divorce" lawsuit between two men whose same-sex “marriage” was performed in Massachusetts, declaring the state marriage amendment and the state’s Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. The Texas Attorney General will appeal the ruling and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys are planning to file a friend-of-the-court brief opposing the Texas court’s ruling, which moves to recognize the men’s out-of-state same-sex “marriage” in defiance of the Texas Family Code and a voter-approved constitutional amendment recognizing marriage as between one man and one woman.

ADF debuts ‘ADFmedia.org’ to meet rapidly changing needs of 21st century journalists

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has launched a new Web site designed to be a fully integrated resource for members of the news media covering stories on ADF cases and its related areas of legal expertise.

ADF: Ground won, lost against pro-abortion groups in suits challenging Ariz. law protecting women, children

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys made gains in federal and state court Tuesday against pro-abortion groups seeking to block the enforcement of new legislation passed this year in Arizona to protect pregnant women and their children. The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued an order denying the Tucson Women's Center request for a preliminary injunction to stop an act passed this year to ensure that women have enough time and information before having an abortion. Meanwhile, even though the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County granted Planned Parenthood's preliminary injunction through an order keeping new state laws restricting abortion from taking effect today, ADF attorneys made headway in the first round of litigation.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:30:00 GMT

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.

Wash. college agrees to end discrimination against pro-life students

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Community Colleges of Spokane and Spokane Falls Community College officials agreed to a court order Thursday that settles a lawsuit filed after they attempted to unconstitutionally silence the pro-life message of a student group. SFCC officials threatened student Beth Sheeran, represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, and other members of a Christian student group with disciplinary measures, including expulsion, if they chose to hold a pro-life event on campus because the information they were sharing with other students was deemed “discriminatory” and did not include a pro-abortion viewpoint.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing over blocked funding for pharmacy school, scholarships

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews Thursday following arguments at a hearing in Pennybacker v. Beshear, a lawsuit in which several activist groups are suing to stop the enactment of a bill that would provide funding for a pharmacy school and for student scholarships.

ADF responds to attack by pro-abortion groups on Ariz. law protecting women

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Two Arizona legislators together with doctors and numerous organizations filed motions Tuesday through their attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to intervene as defendants in separate state and federal lawsuits aimed at tearing down new protections for women considering an abortion.

Federal court: Arguments of L.A. Community College District 'scattershot and disjointed’

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:45:00 GMT

A federal court ruled Wednesday that an injunction prohibiting enforcement of a Los Angeles Community College District policy that violates student free speech rights will stand. The court denied the college district’s motion to reconsider the injunction, noting that the court was “amused” at many of the district’s “scattershot and disjointed” arguments. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom sought and obtained the injunction after filing suit on behalf of a student.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:45:00 GMT

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.

ADF: Bill to repeal DOMA demonstrates ongoing disregard for the American people

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:15:00 GMT

A bill introduced in Congress Tuesday that would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act demonstrates the increasing amount of contempt America’s political leaders appear to have for the values of the people they serve, say attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, who argue that the DOMA is completely constitutional and in tune with the beliefs of Americans. ADF attorneys point out that repeal of the primary federal law that protects marriage opens the door for litigation that would seek to force states to recognize “marriages” between members of the same sex.

ADF-allied attorney available to media after arguments in significant Canadian free speech case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Gerald Chipeur will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments Wednesday before the Court of the Queen’s Bench in a pivotal Canadian free speech case. Justice Earl Wilson will take up the case of a pastor punished by the Alberta Human Rights Commission for letters-to-the-editor published in a newspaper regarding his Christian views on homosexual behavior.

NY school district agrees to recognize Christian club

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:15:00 GMT

The Lindenhurst Union Free School District has granted official recognition to a student-led Christian club following a settlement with the Alliance Defense Fund. ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit in February after the New York school district repeatedly refused to recognize the group.

ADF-allied attorney available to media after trial involving ministry zoned out of Texas town

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:15:00 GMT

ADF-allied attorney Daniel Dalton will be available for media interviews Monday immediately following the first day of a trial before a federal court in House Where Jesus Shines v. City of Bellmead. The House Where Jesus Shines was forced to stop operating its church ministry to parolees after the city of Bellmead learned about it and immediately passed a zoning ordinance that prevents the ministry from operating anywhere within the city.

ADF attorneys submit motion to defend Calif. marriage amendment from new attack

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are seeking to defend California’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman against a renewed legal attack. A recently amended lawsuit argues that a court should either toss out the amendment or declare that it does not apply to California marriages.

Mich. VA hospital provides access for chaplain seeking to pray, read Bible with fellow vets

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:15:00 GMT

After receiving two letters from Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, hospital officials at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center have agreed to allow the chaplain of two veterans’ organizations access to patients. Previously, hospital officials denied Martin Colburn, a Christian chaplain, from visiting patients who asked to meet with him.

$9.2 million grant enables ADF to ramp up defense of free speech at universities

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:45:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has received a $9.2 million grant in support of the nation’s largest-ever campaign to eradicate unconstitutional public university and college policies designed to silence religious speech and expression. ADF is matching the gift, designating just under $20 million, toward a concerted fight for freedom of speech in higher education for students and faculty alike.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT

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.

Court rejects ACLU’s attempt to punish Baptist children’s home for dismissal of employee

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled Monday that a Baptist children’s home, Sunrise Children’s Services, did not violate state or federal laws when it dismissed an employee who was engaged in homosexual conduct.

Lawsuit filed after Idaho commission bans all religious texts from curriculum

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:40:00 GMT

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.

‘God’ no longer censored in Wilson County Schools

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:50:00 GMT

The Wilson County School District has consented to a court order that affirms the religious freedom and freedom of speech for all students in the district. In March, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the district after school officials had censored the word “God” from student-made posters promoting National Day of Prayer and See You at the Pole events. The court issued an injunction in May that halted the censorship while litigation continued.

ADF attorney available to media after testimony over proposed ‘gender identity’ ordinance

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Glen Lavy will be available for media interviews Tuesday after his testimony before the Goshen City Council on a proposed “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” ordinance.

Texas A&M: Christian club may remain Christian

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:30:00 GMT

After receiving a letter from the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom written on behalf of a Christian student club, Texas A&M officials agreed Thursday to continue recognizing the group as an official university student organization without forcing it to abandon its core beliefs and purpose. The university agreed with ADF attorneys that forcing Freshman Leaders in Christ (FLiC) to open its membership to non-Christians--or lose its recognized status on campus--would violate the group’s constitutional rights.

ADF backs marriage amendment in Wis. Supreme Court challenge

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund submitted a friend-of-the-court brief Thursday to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of the Wisconsin Family Council in defense of the state’s marriage amendment, which a lower court upheld as constitutional.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:45:00 GMT

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.

Elk River bucks discriminatory religious use policy after letter from ADF

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have received a positive response to a letter they sent to the town of Elk River urging it to stop its discriminatory policies restricting the use of its public library and park for religious purposes. The city has rescinded its problematic facility access policies, scrapping a library access policy that flatly banned religious meetings and rewriting a recreation facility policy that charged religious groups extra fees that other non-profits were not required to pay.

European Committee for Social Rights upholds pro-abstinence sex education program

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The body that polices compliance with the European Social Charter, a human rights document binding on all states within the Council of Europe, has deemed a pro-abstinence sex education program used in many Croatian schools to be acceptable. ADF Legal Counsel Roger Kiska represented the organization that produced the curriculum, which provided his briefs to the government of Croatia to aid in its defense of the program, preferred by the vast majority of Croatian families over a radically leftist option.

Federal court tosses lawsuit challenging federal Defense of Marriage Act

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:35:00 GMT

A federal court Monday threw out a lawsuit filed against the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The decision to dismiss the case comes just over a month since the same court threw out a portion of the lawsuit that challenged California’s constitutional amendment protecting marriage. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represent ProtectMarriage.com in the suit.

ADF-allied attorney available to media following arguments at Ohio Supreme Court

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney David Kennedy will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments before a master commissioner at the Ohio Supreme Court in a lawsuit involving a church being taxed on a type of property for which some other charitable organizations are not taxed.

La Crosse officials adopt ADF-recommended invocations policy despite threats

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The La Crosse City Council has adopted an invocations policy after receiving legal counsel from Alliance Defense Fund attorneys that will allow the council to continue opening public meetings with prayer. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened to sue the city over the practice.

Court order to purge religious displays from part of church-run store reversed

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:50:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has reversed a federal judge’s order to remove all religious displays from a church-run contract postal unit in Manchester, Conn. The court provided certain minimal guidelines for the church-run store to follow but ruled that it does not have to cleanse its facility of its Christian elements.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:20:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:20:00 GMT

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.

Christian man free to share faith in New Haven without fear of arrest

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:15:00 GMT

The city of New Haven has agreed to a court order issued Monday that will allow a man to resume expressing his Christian faith on public sidewalks. In 2005, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit against the New Haven Police Department after officers threatened to arrest the man for “annoying” passersby.

Clean sweep for NY church in settlement with Broome Community College

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement agreement with Broome Community College on behalf of North Pointe Church, which is now allowed equal access to campus facilities after being told it was no longer permitted to meet on campus. ADF attorneys filed suit in February over the school’s discriminatory policy prohibiting religious groups from renting its buildings for meetings while allowing other similarly situated community groups to do so.

Case dismissed: Kansas court throws out unfounded charges against pro-life advocate

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:10:00 GMT

A judge dismissed criminal charges Wednesday against a pro-life woman arrested in the driveway of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic for allegedly blocking traffic entering and leaving its parking lot. The city alleged that a police officer issued an order to Carrie Kafka prior to her arrest to cease her activities, but the officer stated at trial that he observed no wrongdoing by Kafka and did not order her to cease her activities. Video evidence from the day of the arrest confirms Kafka never prevented vehicles from accessing the clinic.

Pro-life student group reaches settlement with Wayne St. Univ. over funds, access

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:04:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom have reached a favorable settlement on behalf of a pro-life student organization in a lawsuit against officials of Wayne State University. WSU has agreed to change its unconstitutional student fee and facilities use policies and pay back previously denied student fee funds.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing over NY town’s right to open meetings with prayer

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will be available for media interviews Thursday following his oral arguments at a hearing over the right of the Greece Town Board to open public meetings with prayer. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State sued the town on behalf of two residents who objected to the practice.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:55:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after trial over pro-life woman’s arrest

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Counsel Daniel Blomberg will be available for media interviews Wednesday following his defense at trial of a woman arrested while sharing a pro-life message in front of a Planned Parenthood parking lot. In March, the city of Overland Park filed criminal charges against Kansas City Catholic Diocese employee Carrie Kafka, saying she violated a city ordinance by allegedly obstructing traffic entering and leaving the abortion clinic’s parking lot, even though video evidence proves she never obstructed traffic.

CLS-ADF suit brings funding, choice of leadership to Boise State student groups

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:50:00 GMT

Because of a lawsuit filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom and the Christian Legal Society’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom, Boise State University has revamped a critical policy affecting religious student groups.

ADF chief counsel to speak at World Congress of Families in Amsterdam

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull will be available for media interviews during his participation Wednesday in an international gathering of pro-family advocates, leaders, scholars, and parliamentarians Aug. 10-12 in Amsterdam. The Alliance Defense Fund is a partnership level member of the biennial event, named World Congress of Families V, whose participants have undergone threats and intimidation in the days leading up to the event.

ADF attorneys advise Chesapeake officials regarding constitutionality of invocations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:15:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:21:00 GMT

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.

City of Pensacola relents, public park now open for church picnics

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys reached a settlement agreement with the city of Pensacola on behalf of St. Faustina Old Catholic Church, freeing it to hold church picnics once again at Plaza Ferdinand VII, a popular historic park in downtown Pensacola. ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit against the city in April after Pensacola police ordered the church’s pastor to stop holding picnics at the plaza and declared the plaza a “non-event park,” even though events with thousands of people took place at the location on a regular basis.

ADF tells school boards and NEA chapters nationwide: It’s Okay to Say Merry Christmas

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 19:39:00 GMT

Today the Alliance Defense Fund delivered a letter to every state board of education and National Education Association (NEA) chapter in the country explaining the law with regard to the celebration of Christmas in the public schools.

It’s all settled: Atlanta Public Schools officially recognizes Christian student club

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys secured a settlement Monday with Atlanta Public Schools that will result in official recognition of a Christian student club that was repeatedly denied access to the same rights, benefits, and privileges given to all other student clubs at Sutton Middle School. In March, ADF attorneys filed suit against the district on behalf of a Christian student and his mother, claiming that school officials violated their constitutional rights by discriminating against the club because it is religious.

Urgent lawsuit filed with Wis. Supreme Court to stop violation of marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:47:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys together with allied attorneys representing Wisconsin Family Action board members filed an original action lawsuit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court Thursday to stop the governor and state legislature from skirting a voter-approved constitutional amendment protecting marriage. The lawsuit asks the high court to halt the state’s “domestic partnership” scheme because it creates a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage, which directly violates Article 13, Section 13, of the state constitution.

NY nurse threatened, forced to assist in late-term abortion

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:17:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Mount Sinai Hospital on behalf of a Catholic nurse who was forced to participate in a late-term abortion under the threat of disciplinary action, including possible termination and loss of her license. The hospital has known of her religious objections to abortion since 2004.

Romania adopts strong civil codes protecting marriage

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:12:00 GMT

Romanian President Traian Basescu enacted new amendments to the country’s civil codes Friday that provide strong, new protections for marriage. The Alliance Defense Fund together with ADF-allied attorney Peter Costea of the Alliance for Romania’s Families provided legal counsel to Romania’s Parliament, which passed the amendments on June 22.

ADF, pro-family advocates request meeting with new U.S. attorney general over pornography

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:47:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears and nearly 400 other pro-family advocates across the nation sent a joint letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Wednesday, urging him to meet with them to discuss expanding the administration’s efforts to fight illegal, obscene pornography on a national level.

Federal court throws out challenge to Calif. marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:46:00 GMT

A federal court Thursday threw out a legal challenge filed against California’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represent ProtectMarriage.com, the official proponent and campaign committee of Proposition 8, which was allowed to intervene as a defendant in the lawsuit in May.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:19:00 GMT

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.

Permit no longer required to share faith on N.J. town’s sidewalk

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have obtained a settlement from city of Wildwood officials that will allow citizens to distribute religious literature on public sidewalks, in parks, and in all other public forums without obtaining a permit. ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the city in January after a Christian man was told he would need to obtain a permit before sharing his message on a local boardwalk.

Court puts brakes on oppressive speech code at L.A. City College

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:20:00 GMT

A federal court Monday granted a motion filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom to halt enforcement of a Los Angeles City College District policy that violates student free speech rights. The court’s order, which halts the policy while a student’s lawsuit against the district moves forward, also requires the removal of all of the policy’s language on district Web sites because the court determined that ADF attorneys are likely to succeed in their argument that the policy is unconstitutional.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:20:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney to testify before Mass. Legislature on ‘hate crimes’ bill for the sexually confused

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Tim Tracey will be available for media interviews Tuesday following his testimony before the Massachusetts Legislature at a public hearing on H.B. 1728, titled “An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes.”

Importance of Europe’s ‘Roe v. Wade’ case grows exponentially with elevation in status

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys defending legal protections for pre-born children in Ireland at the European Court of Human Rights say the importance of the case has grown exponentially with the court’s decision to move the case to its Grand Chamber. Cases decided in the Grand Chamber are binding on all lower chambers and on all member states. A decision in the case will set an official policy on the issue for Europe.

ADF attorney to testify before WV Legislature on need for marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be available for media interviews Tuesday following his testimony before the West Virginia Legislature on the need for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Lorence will stress to the legislature that West Virginia voters should have the opportunity to vote on whether to amend the state constitution since the state’s Defense of Marriage Act is not sufficient to guard against legal attacks on marriage.

Utah court rules in favor of child’s right to his mom

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:15:00 GMT

A Utah court has ruled that a 2-year-old child’s right to his mother outweighs the demands of a woman unrelated to the boy who sought parental rights. ADF-allied attorney Frank D. Mylar represented the boy and his mother, a woman who ended her relationship with the other woman and is now married.

Ohio Supreme Court agrees state law requires compliance with abortion drug restrictions

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:05:00 GMT

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Friday that an Ohio statute does indeed require abortionists to abide by the manufacturer’s dosing instructions and warnings when prescribing the abortion drug RU-486. The Alliance Defense Fund provided funding for a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the case by Americans United for Life.

Proposition 8 defenders allowed to intervene against attack on Calif. marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:30:00 GMT

A federal court Tuesday ruled that the official proponents and campaign committee for Proposition 8, ProtectMarriage.com, will be allowed to intervene federal court against a Hollywood-backed lawsuit designed to tear down California’s voter-approved marriage amendment. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys are co-counsel in the case along with ADF-allied attorney Andrew Pugno and lead counsel Charles J. Cooper.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:20:00 GMT

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.

ADF seeks to challenge order requiring FDA to disregard parental rights

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:05:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys together with attorney Charles Holster of Mineola have filed a motion to intervene to challenge a federal court order that requires the Food and Drug Administration to allow the Plan B drug, which many doctors believe can cause an abortion, to be sold over the counter to minors. The motion was filed on behalf of Concerned Women for America, the Christian Medical and Dental Association, and Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, who contend that the order disregards parental rights and the safety of minors.

4th Circuit upholds Va. partial-birth abortion ban

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:50:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled Wednesday to uphold the constitutionality of Virginia’s partial-birth abortion ban. The full court reversed a previous decision by a three-judge panel that determined the ban was unconstitutional.

New hotline for Wash. Referendum 71 supporters who encounter retaliation

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Wednesday the Alliance Defense Fund opened a free telephone hotline (1-800-655-6592) and Web page (www.telladf.org/r71) for Washingtonians who believe they have credible reports of retaliation against them because of their support of Referendum 71. Referendum 71 is a citizen initiative that would allow voters to decide on a state senate bill that makes marriage and “registered domestic partnerships” effectively the same except in name.

Mich. town settles lawsuit, lifts discriminatory rental fees on church

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys secured a settlement Tuesday with the village of Fife Lake on behalf of Forest Area Bible Church, which will no longer be forced to pay discriminatory rental fees to use the village’s municipal building. As a result of a lawsuit filed by ADF attorneys in March, the church will also be reimbursed for past fees it had to pay--fees that were not charged to similar non-religious organizations that enjoyed free access to the facility.

Texas Supreme Court rules unanimously in favor of prison ministry

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:40:00 GMT

The Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of a ministry to former prison inmates Friday, determining that zoning regulations passed by the city of Sinton to oust the ministry from town violates the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Alliance Defense Fund ally Liberty Legal Institute represented the ministry in the case. ADF provided funding assistance for the appeal to the high court.

Court: Calif. library can’t ban meetings it labels 'religious services'

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:20:00 GMT

A federal judge ruled Friday that Contra Costa County officials can no longer prohibit a Christian ministry from accessing Antioch Branch Library public meeting rooms just because government employees consider its scheduled activities to be “religious services.” Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit against county officials in 2004 on behalf of the ministry, arguing that the library’s ban was unconstitutional.

Wright State University agrees to recognize Christian student group

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:05:00 GMT

Officials at Wright State University have agreed to reverse their decision to deny recognition of a Christian student group after receiving letters and public exposure from both the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:10:00 GMT

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.

Fla. school district singles out church VBS fliers for censorship

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:10:00 GMT

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.

ADF appeals DC board’s faulty decision to deny vote on same-sex ‘marriage’

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics on behalf of Bishop Harry R. Jackson and other D.C. voters, challenging its vote Monday to deny the people a say on the city council’s decision to recognize same-sex “marriages” from other jurisdictions. In the suit, ADF attorneys point out that the board disregarded a previous court ruling when rejecting a referendum that would allow voters to decide the matter.

Ohio’s Miami University revises speech policy, agrees to settle lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund obtained a settlement Monday in Gilles v. Hodge, bringing to end a five-year legal battle over Miami University’s speech policy that prohibited a Christian man from exercising his First Amendment rights on campus because he didn’t have a permit. Campus security threatened Jim Gilles and a friend with arrest because they were sharing their faith on campus.

Court order ends unconstitutional St. Louis policy banning literature distribution

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:35:00 GMT

A federal judge issued an order Thursday permanently prohibiting the city of St. Louis from banning a Christian ministry from distributing literature and speaking about their religious viewpoint at an annual “PrideFest” event celebrating homosexual behavior. An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney secured the order on behalf of the Apple of His Eye ministry, which means that city officials can no longer enforce an unconstitutional policy they used to keep the organization from sharing its faith three years ago.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing on DC marriage referendum

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:09:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews after testifying before the Board of Elections at a hearing Wednesday. Raum will join pastors and others in support of allowing citizens of the District of Columbia to vote on whether to accept or reject the decision of the D.C. City Council to recognize same-sex “marriages” from other jurisdictions.

UCLA confirms student can thank Jesus in graduation statement

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:25:00 GMT

Officials from the University of California, Los Angeles, confirmed Tuesday that they will permit a Christian student’s graduation statement to include a word of thanks to Jesus Christ after first saying they would not allow the sentence. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom urged officials in a letter Friday afternoon to refrain from violating her free speech rights. The student, Christina Popa, received a voice mail from the school Friday evening that her statement will be read verbatim during the June 13 commencement ceremony.

ADF attorneys consider appeal of Ten Commandments ruling

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:55:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:45:00 GMT

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.

WV high court renders moms, dads unimportant in adoption cases

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:20:00 GMT

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Friday reversed a lower court’s order to place a 15-month old foster child with a married family in accordance with state law. According to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, the court’s ruling essentially elevated the desires of two cohabitating women who wanted to adopt the child over the state’s adoption law and the judge’s legal discretion to rule within the bounds of it. The two women were temporarily providing foster care without any guarantee of adoption.

Officials in Md. can't shake violations against young pro-life advocates

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:35:00 GMT

A federal judge refused Wednesday to grant motions by the Maryland State Police, Harford County, and the city of Bel Air to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of three young pro-life women. ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit last September, arguing that the women’s constitutional rights were violated by officers who arrested, jailed, shackled, and strip-searched them for sharing a peaceful pro-life message along a public street.

San Diego County apologizes for ordering stop to home Bible study

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:05:00 GMT

San Diego County officials agreed Wednesday to rescind a cease-and-desist order issued to a pastor holding a small Bible study in his home. In a letter to the pastor, the county’s chief administrative officer apologized for the incident involving a code enforcement officer who issued the order after reportedly asking the pastor’s wife inappropriately probing questions about the study.

Phoenix bishop sentenced to jail for ringing church bells

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:05:00 GMT

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.

Pro-life group wins victory at highest court in Slovak Republic

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:45:00 GMT

The highest court of the Slovak Republic ruled in favor of a pro-life group Tuesday in its lawsuit against police. Attorney Dr. Alan Bohm together with Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represented the Centre for Bio-ethical Reform Europe, which filed suit after police disrupted a peaceful pro-life rally that was held in full compliance with domestic law. The court ruled that police violated the pro-life group’s constitutional right to free speech.

Fla. school district agrees to end discriminatory treatment of Christian club

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Officials at Santa Rosa County School District, who previously barred a Christian-based club from meeting at Jay High School, have reversed course after receiving a letter from the Alliance Defense Fund. Additionally, teachers at the school are now permitted to participate in private baccalaureate services. ADF attorneys had sent a separate letter to the district over that matter.

ADF to activist group: Stop threatening Maine diocese over marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to the San Diego-based Empowering Spirits Foundation Thursday on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine, urging it to cease filing frivolous and factually flawed IRS complaints as a way of intimidating organizations that believe in protecting marriage.

Proposition 8 defenders seek to intervene against Hollywood-backed lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:35:00 GMT

The official proponents and campaign committee for Proposition 8, ProtectMarriage.com, filed a motion to intervene Thursday in federal court against a new Hollywood-backed lawsuit designed to tear down California’s voter-approved marriage amendment, upheld by the California Supreme Court just three days ago. ProtectMarriage.com is represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and ADF-allied attorney Andrew Pugno.

Atheists rebuffed in Detroit: ADF attorneys secure victory for inner-city church

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled Thursday in favor of an inner-city church that had been denied reimbursement for property improvements requested by the city of Detroit because of a lawsuit that was filed by American Atheists. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund had appealed an earlier decision by a federal district court that had allowed for most of the money promised to be reimbursed, but not the entire amount.

ADF joins memorandum calling for stem cell researchers to ‘do no harm’

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:25:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund joined with other pro-life organizations Tuesday to submit a memorandum to the National Institutes of Health on the scientific and ethical repercussions of proposed guidelines on human embryonic stem cell research. The memorandum is in response to the NIH’s request for public comment on proposed guidelines that will establish policy and procedures for funding research on human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos created by in vitro fertilization.

La. city unanimously approves new regulations for sexually-oriented businesses

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:15:00 GMT

The Kenner City Council has voted to adopt regulations that seek to limit the negative effects of sexually-oriented businesses on the community. The new ordinance, which was drafted and provided to the city by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, has already been adopted by at least half a dozen municipalities in the state of Louisiana.

Federal court: La. town violated Christian man’s free speech rights

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:25:00 GMT

A federal court Wednesday ruled in favor of a Christian man threatened with arrest for sharing a religious message outside a restaurant with a bar in the town of Zachary. The court ruled that the city’s use of an ordinance banning “annoying” and “offensive” speech violated the First Amendment rights of John Todd Netherland, represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys.

Calif. Supreme Court upholds right of voters to amend constitution, protect marriage

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:40:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to recognize the votes of more than 7 million Californians and uphold the state constitutional amendment which affirmed marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Advocates for redefining marriage filed suit last November, challenging the constitutionality of the amendment and again asking the court to forcibly redefine marriage in the Golden State in defiance of the fundamental right of Californians to amend their state constitution.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:05:00 GMT

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.

La. Supreme Court rejects hospital’s appeal in nurse’s rights of conscience lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:15:00 GMT

The Louisiana Supreme Court Friday declined to hear an appeal by St. Tammany Parish Hospital in a nurse’s lawsuit filed by ADF attorneys and an ADF-allied attorney. A trial judge had ruled against issuing summary judgment in favor of the hospital, so that decision will stand. The nurse, Toni Lemly, sued the hospital in 2005 after it refused to grant a reasonable accommodation for her religious beliefs.

ADF attorneys file brief with U.S. Supreme Court supporting ‘Choose Life’ plates

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday with the U.S. Supreme Court in Choose Life Illinois v. White. The brief asks the court to review an appellate court’s decision denying Choose Life Illinois’ members the right to produce a specialty license plate with the slogan “Choose Life,” as part of a state program, because the words had been deemed too “controversial.”

Debate on free speech rights of pastors Wednesday

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Executive Vice-President and Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull will participate in a “Pulpit Freedom” debate Wednesday co-sponsored by ADF and the Federalist Society. Speakers will focus on whether a 55-year-old IRS code provision called the Johnson Amendment violates the U.S. Constitution when it prohibits a pastor from addressing candidates and elections in light of Scripture or church doctrine during a sermon.

ADF attorneys file second appeal involving German ‘sex education’ program

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys are representing two German parents in an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights filed Thursday. 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. ADF attorneys are already representing two other parents who were also convicted in the same way.

NH gov's proposed revisions to marriage redefinition bill fail religious freedom test

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:55:00 GMT

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and same-sex “marriage” supporters insist that proposed revisions to legislation that would make New Hampshire the sixth state to redefine marriage will not infringe on religious liberties. But ADF attorneys argue that Lynch’s added protections--and the anticipated concession by the drafters--is merely smoke and mirrors geared to divert attention from the fact that recognizing same-sex “marriage” in the Granite State would open up a Pandora’s Box of new attacks on religious freedom.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Defense of Ariz. tax credit program continues

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:10:00 GMT

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.

ADF files suit against radical group that invaded Mich. church

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit in federal court Wednesday against a radical anarchist group that openly advocates the use of riots and crime to further its views in favor of homosexual behavior. ADF attorneys filed the suit on behalf of Delta Township’s Mount Hope Church against the group “Bash Back!,” which invaded the church’s building during a worship service on Nov. 9 of last year.

Norfolk officials: Christians welcome to express faith in public park during local celebration

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Two Christians barred from wearing signs that expressed their faith during a local celebration will no longer face those restrictions. After Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a letter to city officials clarifying the constitutional right to religious free speech, the city agreed to revise a policy which prohibits Christians from engaging in some forms of public speech during the annual Norfolk Harborfest event, including wearing sandwich boards and the distributing religious literature.

ADF attorney to defend religious liberty in testimony before Del. Legislature

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews Wednesday following his testimony before the Delaware Legislature arguing against the passage of H.B. 5. If enacted, the law would equate a range of sexual behaviors with legitimate protected classes such as age, race, and handicap, is a serious threat to fundamental liberty.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:20:00 GMT

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.

Victory: Calif. students observe National Day of Prayer after ADF provides assistance

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:05:00 GMT

After receiving assistance from Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, students at a Royal Oak Middle School were allowed to observe the National Day of Prayer Thursday. Students in the Spiritual Place of Teens, or SPOT, club were initially told by school officials that they would have to change the name of the event and that they would not be permitted to advertise with flyers or posters on campus.

Atlanta to lift unconstitutional ordinance, reviving beleaguered church

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund and allied attorneys secured a consent order and partial dismissal Thursday on behalf of Kingdom First Ministries in a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta, which has entered into a settlement with the church. The city has agreed to change its unconstitutional ordinance that put undue and burdensome restrictions upon the church, nearly forcing it to permanently close its doors.

Court: ADF to defend Prop. 8, federal DOMA

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:25:00 GMT

A federal court entered an order granting Alliance Defense Fund attorneys a motion to intervene Thursday on behalf of ProtectMarriage.com in a lawsuit waged by two men against the United States and the state of California to eliminate California’s state constitutional amendment protecting marriage and the federal Defense of Marriage Act. ADF attorneys filed a motion to intervene last month to defend the intended definition of marriage in a suit alleging that the passage of both Proposition 8 and DOMA violates the U.S. Constitution.

City of Cleveland warned to discontinue unconstitutional ‘domestic partner registry’

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

An ADF-allied attorney sent a letter Thursday to City of Cleveland Law Director Robert J. Triozzi, asking him to stop the city’s newly enacted “domestic partnership registry,” which violates the Ohio Constitution.

Temporarily Unavailable

ADF Media Relations — Sun, 01 Sep 2002 16:46:00 GMT

Attorney takes flight, will pray over Ariz. state capitol

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:40:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund attorney along with other team members will be volunteering in their personal capacity to participate Thursday in a "prayer flight" over the greater Phoenix area and the Arizona state capitol to commemorate the National Day of Prayer. ADF attorneys are presently defending the National Day of Prayer Task Force and its chairperson, Shirley Dobson, in a federal lawsuit brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to halt the observance of the annual event.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:45:00 GMT

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.

Slovak Republic faces lawsuit after police clamp-down on pro-life rally

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The Centre for Bio-ethical Reform Europe filed suit Thursday in the highest court of the Slovak Republic after police put an end to a peaceful pro-life rally that was held in full compliance with domestic law. CBR Europe, represented by attorney Dr. Alan Bohm and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, held its “Stop Genocide” rally to inform people about the atrocities of genocide, including abortion, but Slovak police asserted the signs displayed by participants were too graphic for the general public.

ADF-allied attorney available to media following hearing in Mass. ‘buffer zone’ case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:55:00 GMT

ADF-allied attorney Michael DePrimo will be available for media interviews immediately following oral argument Tuesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in McCullen v. Coakley. DePrimo will be arguing on behalf of several pro-life advocates against a Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot “buffer zone” restricting pro-life advocates from talking with people entering abortion clinics.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:05:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:50:00 GMT

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.

ADF offers to defend Orange County policy preventing public funds from subsidizing abortionists

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have offered to defend the Orange County Board of Supervisors pro bono in the event it faces any threats of legal action by Planned Parenthood or similar pro-abortion groups over a new policy the board passed Tuesday restricting certain county funds from being used for abortions.

U.S. Supreme Court upholds FCC enforcement of indecency regulations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s censure of indecent language broadcast during televised broadcasts of the Billboard Music Awards on the Fox network. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit had held that because the words in question were merely “fleeting expletives,” Fox shouldn’t be held accountable for breaking FCC rules that forbid the use of indecent language on network television while children are likely to be watching. Attorneys and allied attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the high court in defense of the FCC regulations in June of last year.

3rd Circuit says Penn. pro-life counselors deserve their day in court

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:20:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit reversed a federal judge’s decision against two pro-life advocates Monday, saying that the two men deserve to have their cases considered by a jury. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys represent Edward Snell and John McTernan, who were arrested and threatened with arrest, respectively, for exercising their First Amendment rights in a public alley next to a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic.

ADF attorneys ask Montana Supreme Court to stop assisted suicide

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:15:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the Montana Supreme Court that asks for the reversal of a lower court ruling that found a “right” to physician-assisted suicide in the Montana Constitution. ADF filed its brief on behalf of the Family Research Council, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Catholic Medical Association, and numerous Montana physicians.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Wash. college pro-life speech case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available for media interviews Wednesday following her arguments in the lawsuit Sheeran v. Shea. ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit last month against Community Colleges of Spokane and Spokane Falls Community College officials for unconstitutionally attempting to silence the pro-life message of a student group.

Park ban is no picnic for Fla. church

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:02:00 GMT

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.

Proposed policy would protect conscience rights of Iowa county recorder employees

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:23:00 GMT

A letter issued by the Alliance Defense Fund and the Iowa Family Policy Center Wednesday offers free legal defense by ADF attorneys to county recorder offices that adopt a policy protecting employee rights of conscience. The policy would protect objecting employees from being forced to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples if doing so would violate the employee’s conscience.

ADF attorney to testify before NH Senate against 'gender identity' bill

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:23:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews Thursday following his testimony before the New Hampshire Senate to oppose H.B. 415. If enacted, the newly proposed legislation, commonly known as the "Bathroom Bill" or "gender identity" bill, would open all public bathrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and other intimate areas to both men and women by making the law consider a person's sex a state of mind instead of a biological fact.

Ariz. tuition tax credit program still standing after 9th Circuit decision

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A program allowing Arizona residents to claim a tax credit for limited donations to organizations that provide scholarships to private schools is still standing after a ruling Tuesday by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represent the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization in the case.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:05:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney to testify before Maine Legislature against same-sex ‘marriage’ bill

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews Wednesday following his testimony before the Maine Legislature to oppose L.D. 1020. If enacted, L.D. 1020 would redefine marriage in Maine law as a union between “two people”--not one man and one woman.

Churchgoers given no place to go

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in ‘In God We Trust’ school censorship case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense und Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available for media interviews following a hearing Monday in a lawsuit against the Wilson County School Board. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of parents and students at Lakeview Elementary School after school officials ordered “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.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in ‘In God We Trust’ school censorship case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Jews for Jesus now free to speak

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:55:00 GMT

The City College of San Francisco has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney on behalf of Jews for Jesus. After arresting a Jews for Jesus employee for handing out literature on its campus without a permit, the college will now allow access for the ministry to distribute literature and express its Christian message on its campuses without unconstitutional permit requirements.

ADF attorney available to media following trial in Mont. parental rights case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will argue before the Montana Supreme Court Friday on behalf of a mother who is asking the court to reverse a judge’s decision to grant parental rights to a legal stranger to the mother’s children. The judge ruled that Dr. Barbara Maniaci’s former live-in girlfriend, who is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, is entitled to parental rights simply because the two women lived together for a period of time and had a relationship with Maniaci’s children. Oral arguments will take place at the University of Montana.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in church’s lawsuit against Ariz. town

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman will be available for media interviews immediately following oral arguments Wednesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Reed v. Town of Gilbert. ADF attorneys represent Good News Community Church of Gilbert, Ariz., in the church’s lawsuit over the Phoenix suburb’s flawed sign ordinance.

ADF attorneys seek to defend Calif., federal definitions of marriage

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:25:00 GMT

On behalf of the official proponents and campaign committee of the California constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys submitted a motion to intervene Friday in a lawsuit that seeks to eliminate the California amendment as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The new lawsuit alleges that both violate the U.S. Constitution.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing on NJ ‘Choose Life’ plates

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Jeff Shafer will be available for media interviews immediately following his oral arguments Tuesday in The Children First Foundation v. Legreide before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit on behalf of the pro-adoption Children First Foundation against the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for repeatedly refusing to grant its application to run specialty plates with the “Choose Life” slogan. The suit alleges that the commission’s denials constitute unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

Vt. Legislature says OK to imposing system that deprives children of mom, dad

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:15:00 GMT

The Vermont Legislature Tuesday overrode Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto of legislation that fabricates same-sex “marriage” in the state, which was the first state to implement “civil unions” in 2000. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say that the legislation is a textbook rebuttal of the argument that “civil unions” are a satisfactory compromise to protect marriage.

Pastor prevails in Wichita

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:20:00 GMT

City of Wichita officials have agreed to a consent order from a federal court that concludes that police violated the constitutional rights of a pastor when they arrested him as he prepared to peacefully express his Christian beliefs on a public sidewalk. Pastor Mark Holick is represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:09:00 GMT

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.

Iowa Supreme Court rules to redefine marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:58:00 GMT

The Iowa Supreme Court struck down the state’s Defense of Marriage Act in a ruling Friday that declared it to be in conflict with the state constitution. ADF attorneys represent Iowa state legislators who filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the high court in defense of the act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman--the same definition that has existed for the entire history of the state.

Censorship won’t fly: FAA agrees to stop censoring religious speech

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:50:00 GMT

A Federal Aviation Administration employee disciplined for discussing his religious views on homosexual behavior while at work will no longer face punishment. In 2006, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Larry Dombrowski after he was told that he had “no free speech rights in the government workplace.”

NY’s highest court agrees to hear same-sex ‘marriage’ recognition suits

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:45:00 GMT

The New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, agreed Tuesday to hear two appeals filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund in lawsuits against officials who have attempted to recognize out-of-state same-sex “marriages” in contradiction to state law.

ADF attorney to participate in press conference on Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden will participate in a press conference Tuesday regarding the introduction of the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act by Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona. The bill would prohibit knowingly performing, or soliciting funding for, race- or sex-selection abortions.

ADF: Vt. governor on firm ground to veto same-sex ‘marriage’ bill

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Vt. Gov. Jim Douglas is on firm ground to veto a same-sex “marriage” bill if it passes the state legislature, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. Vermont currently allows “civil unions” between members of the same sex, but not marriage.

ADF to address European Parliament on religious freedom in Belarus Tuesday

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:05:00 GMT

The European Parliament has invited Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Roger Kiska and six other speakers to participate in a hearing Tuesday concerning Belarus. Kiska will be the only speaker to address the subject of religious freedom in Belarus, as the parliament works to develop a “road map” detailing what the country must do in order to have visa sanctions permanently lifted for its leaders.

ADF willing to defend Ohio county’s adoption policy if reinstated

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have offered to defend a Butler County adoption policy if it is reinstated by the county’s board of commissioners. In a letter to the board Thursday, ADF attorneys explained that the policy, which lists in order the types of adoptive parents the county will consider when placing children for adoption, is completely constitutional, contrary to the opinion of the American Civil Liberties Union.

ADF: Hawaii ‘civil unions’ bill was bad attempt to undermine marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:05:00 GMT

A proposed “civil unions” bill, which failed to pass a Hawaii Senate committee Thursday, was a failed attempt to skirt the state’s constitutional amendment protecting marriage, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The bill failed to obtain the necessary number of votes to be forced from the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee for a full Senate vote.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:45:00 GMT

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.

Open road for Mo. ‘Choose Life’ plates after 8th Circuit clears detour

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys secured a victory from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit over Missouri Department of Revenue officials Thursday, clearing the way for the creation of “Choose Life” specialty license plates. In the lawsuit, ADF attorneys alleged the state violated Choose Life of Missouri’s free speech rights by engaging in viewpoint discrimination when it refused to approve the specialty plate based on its objection to the pro-life message while allowing the messages of other organizations on other specialty plates.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:35:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:05:00 GMT

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.

Disabled children lose fight against ACLU

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:55:00 GMT

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.

ADF: Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial cross is constitutional

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:05:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney to address Del. legislature on proposed marriage amendment, sexual behavior bill

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian W. Raum will be available for media interviews Wednesday following his testimony before the Delaware Legislature on legislation which, if enacted, would amend the Delaware Constitution to protect the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Tax-exempt status safe for Ramsey County church

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:20:00 GMT

Two Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys have succeeded in obtaining a settlement on behalf of a Ramsey County church once under threat of losing its tax-exempt status along with nearly 800 other churches and related organizations in the county. County officials had originally demanded that 784 “church organizations” submit forms and information or else risk loss of tax-exempt status, despite Minnesota law that exempts churches from such requirements.

ADF poised to defend three pro-life bills signed by Utah governor

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have sent letters to Utah Reps. Paul Ray and Carl Wimmer offering free legal representation to defend key abortion law amendments from any legal attacks waged by pro-abortion advocacy groups. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed bills HB 90, HB 222, and HB 114 Friday to provide new protections for viable preborn children, require abortionists to provide women with sufficient prenatal information, and establish a fund for defense of the legislation.

NY court finds town’s permit-for-free-speech rule unconstitutional, again

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:15:00 GMT

A New York court has dismissed charges against a Christian woman represented by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney after she was arrested for verbally sharing her faith and distributing literature at an outdoor public park concert. In a ruling Tuesday, the court found a recently revised town of Oyster Bay code requiring permits for free speech unconstitutional, just as it did the original version.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing over religious displays at private Conn. postal store

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Jeff Shafer will be available for media interviews Friday following his oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in Cooper v. United States Postal Service. Shafer will argue against federal district court judgments that declared religious displays in a church-run contract postal unit unconstitutional.

Settlement means Modesto man free to speak in public plaza

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement with the city of Modesto, freeing a Christian man to share his faith in a popular downtown public plaza. Last July, ADF attorneys filed suit against the city of Modesto on behalf of Kevin Borden after city officials restricted him and his friends from peacefully sharing their faith in a public area on Saturday evenings.

Serbian Parliament to vote on ‘non-discrimination’ law

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:30:00 GMT

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.

Indiana scraps problematic personalized license plate policy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Indiana officials will drop a statute against references to religion or a deity on personalized license plates in the wake of a lawsuit filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. ADF attorneys had filed the suit on behalf of Liz Ferris, a woman whose application to renew her nine-year-old personalized plate was denied because of its reference to God.

ADF v. ACLU at George Mason University

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:05:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Jeff Shafer will debate Jeremy Gunn, director of the American Civil Liberties Union Program on Religious Freedom, Wednesday at George Mason University Law School. The subject of the debate, which is open to the public, will be the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause.

5th Circuit: Texas moment of silence is constitutional

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit Monday upheld a Texas law allowing students to observe one minute of silence following the Pledge of Allegiance. The Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case last year. ADF ally Liberty Legal Institute also filed a brief and represented schoolchildren in a hearing before the court.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on Ark. Act 1 adoption law

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available for media interviews Tuesday following a hearing on a motion to dismiss the lawsuit Cole v. State of Arkansas, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against Act 1. Passed by voters in last year's November election, Act 1 gives children the opportunity of being placed in the best possible home environment, putting the needs of youth above the desire of unmarried, cohabiting couples to adopt.

It's settled: Tractor trailer displaying Christian message remains along NY highway

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing a Christian man reached a favorable settlement with the New York Department of Transportation, which agreed to allow Daniel Burritt's trailer donning a gospel message to remain on his private business property along a public highway. The tractor trailer had previously been cited as a "public nuisance," and NYDOT warned Burritt that it would be forcibly removed if the Christian message remained visible from the highway.

Ariz. appeals court rules against ACLU, upholds tuition program for kids

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:20:00 GMT

The Arizona Court of Appeals Thursday upheld the constitutionality of Arizona's corporate tax credit tuition program being attacked by the American Civil Liberties Union. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case in defense of the program on behalf of the non-profit student tuition organization School Choice Arizona.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:05:00 GMT

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.

Penn. police officer punished for upholding the law

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:30:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorneys available to media after hearing over Minneapolis' firing of Christian doctor

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Counsel Jim Campbell and ADF Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews Friday following Campbell's oral arguments in favor of a Christian doctor terminated by the city of Minneapolis for having ties to a pro-family organization.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:55:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF: Court should reinstate Fla. statute protecting adopted children

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with a Florida appellate court on behalf of the American College of Pediatricians. The brief asks the court to reverse a trial court decision that struck down a law requiring the government to place the interests of children ahead of the desire of same-sex couples to adopt.

ADF attorneys seek to dismiss lawsuit against National Day of Prayer against National Day of Prayer

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in WV same-sex adoption case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available for media interviews immediately following the hearing before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in Kutil v. Blake. ADF attorneys submitted a friend-of-the-court brief asking the court to ensure that a 15-month old foster child is placed with a married family in accordance with state law.

San Diego relents after restricting ministries' homeless 'feeding' to cage

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:15:00 GMT

After correspondence with attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund, the San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation abandoned a proposed program Thursday which would have required a homeless outreach, after several years of serving the poor at Mission Bay Park, to relocate to a dirt lot with a cramped, fenced-in area resembling a cage.

CLS attorney available to media following hearing in lawsuit against UC-Hastings

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:49:00 GMT

An attorney with the Christian Legal Society's Center for Law & Religious Freedom will be available for media interviews outside the James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse immediately following Tuesday's hearing in Christian Legal Society v. Kane. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys with CLS and the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom, challenges Hastings College of the Law's discrimination against the school's student chapter of CLS.

Ark. court: Act 1 promoters can defend law against ACLU attack

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:40:00 GMT

At a hearing Friday, an Arkansas court granted a motion to intervene filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of the Family Council Action Committee to join the state of Arkansas in defending Act 1 against a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The law, which voters passed in last year’s November election, places the benefits to children of being in the best possible home environment ahead of the desire of unmarried, cohabiting couples to adopt.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Utah roadside memorial case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available to answer questions from the media immediately following oral argument Monday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in American Atheists v. Davenport. ADF attorneys represent the Utah Highway Patrol Association in the case.

NJ Christian’s speech rights restored

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:20:00 GMT

City of Wildwood officials have agreed to a motion filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund that will prevent the city from enforcing a permit requirement against a Christian man told he could not distribute religious literature on a public sidewalk. ADF attorneys filed the motion shortly after they filed suit against the city on behalf of Eric Wollod last month. The city agreed to the motion while it negotiates settlement of the case.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on Ark. Act 1 adoption law

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available for media interviews Friday following a hearing in the lawsuit Cole v. State of Arkansas. The hearing concerns a motion to intervene that ADF attorneys filed in January on behalf of the Family Council Action Committee to join the state of Arkansas in defending against a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against Act 1, which voters passed in last year’s November election. The act places the benefits to children of being in the best possible home environment ahead of the desire of unmarried, cohabiting couples to adopt.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:45:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in atheist suit against Detroit agency

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt will be available to answer questions from the media immediately following oral argument Thursday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in American Atheists v. City of Detroit Downtown Development Agency. ADF attorneys represent St. John’s Episcopal Church in the case.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:55:00 GMT

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.

Burning Question: Can Firefighters Be Forced to Honor Homosexual Behavior?

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The main reason for hiring firefighters, one might reason, is to fight fires... not spark controversy.

ADF: Activists filing lawsuit against DOMA want judge to redefine marriage for everyone

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:50:00 GMT

A lawsuit filed by a handful of same-sex couples represented by a homosexual activist group is seeking to have a judge redefine marriage for the entire country, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to declare portions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, unconstitutional.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in La. ‘two hours of free speech’ case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Counsel Jonathan Scruggs will be available for media interviews following a hearing Tuesday in which he will ask the court to allow a Christian man to exercise his speech rights while his lawsuit against Southeastern Louisiana Universitycontinues. ADF attorneys filed suit last November against school officials on behalf of Jeremy Sonnier after he was stopped from sharing his faith on campus during the two hours of “free speech” time allotted to outside speakers each week.

ADF attorney who argued before Calif. Supreme Court to speak on same-sex ‘marriage’ Tuesday

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be speaking on “Proposition 8 and the California Supreme Court: The Battle to Defend Marriage” Tuesday at Southwestern Law School. In 2004, Lorence argued successfully before the California Supreme Court in the lawsuit that declared the city of San Francisco to be in violation of state law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples--a ruling that sparked the litigation that later resulted in the court’s decision to legalize same-sex “marriage” before voters approved Proposition 8.

ADF President salutes Dr. James Dobson's 'tireless service' to American families

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:29:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears praised Focus on the Family founder and ADF co-founder Dr. James Dobson for his "tireless service" to American families upon learning of his resignation as chairman of the Focus on the Family board of directors.

Hearing Friday on temporary restraining order against NY’s Broome Community College

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Tim Chandler will be available for media interviews following an emergency court hearing Friday in the case of a church being swept off the campus of Broome Community College in Binghamton.

ADF attorney available to media following symposium on Iowa same-sex ‘marriage’ case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews after he presents at a University of Iowa College of Law symposium that will discuss the Iowa same-sex “marriage” lawsuit Varnum v. Brien and its impact on the state.

9th Circuit: First Amendment trumps government regulation of church speech

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit reversed a ruling Wednesday which had upheld as constitutional a Montana commissioner’s determination that a church violated state law by not registering as an “incidental political committee.” Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in June 2004 after the Montana commissioner of political practices began investigating the church upon receiving a complaint from a homosexual activist group because the church spoke in support of the state’s constitutional amendment protecting marriage.

ADF: U.S. Supreme Court makes right call in case involving Utah monument

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:27:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys say the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday on a case involving a religious sect's monument in Utah rightly distinguishes private religious speech and government speech issues.

NY’s Broome Community College sweeps church off campus

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:55:00 GMT

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.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:15:00 GMT

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.

Author of recordkeeping law for pornographers applauds 6th Circuit decision

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit made the right call Friday in upholding a law that requires pornographers to keep records documenting the names and ages of people who appear in photos of sexual activity, according to Alan Sears, the law's author. Sears is now president, CEO, and general counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund.

Firefighters forced to participate in ‘Gay Pride Parade’ win heated legal battle

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:25:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney representing four San Diego firefighters received a favorable jury verdict Tuesday in a lawsuit against the city. The San Diego Fire Department disregarded the firefighters’ objections to taking part in the city’s “Gay Pride Parade” celebrating homosexual behavior and retaliated against them for later complaining about the harassment they endured during the event.

ADF attorneys advise La Crosse officials regarding constitutionality of invocations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:45:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney heads new European efforts in defense of religious freedom

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:50:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has significantly strengthened its ongoing efforts in defense of religious liberty overseas by appointing Roger Kiska as its legal counsel in Europe. Kiska’s efforts will help stem the tide of bad European legal precedents that find their way to America.

ADF urges Senate Judiciary Committee to reject Administration's DOJ nominees

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:10:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund submitted a legal memorandum to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Friday urging it to reject President Obama's most recent nominees for top-level positions in the U.S. Department of Justice: David Ogden, Elena Kagan, Dawn Johnsen, and Thomas Perrelli. The memo contends that the nominees' far-left ideology, established through their legal careers, would gravely jeopardize the proper interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution.

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

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:40:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorneys seek appeal in NY same-sex "marriage" recognition suits

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:30:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed documents Wednesday seeking to appeal separate lawsuits against New York officials for attempting to recognize out-of-state same-sex "marriages" in contradiction to state law. ADF attorneys are arguing in Lewis v. New York State Department of Civil Service that the department illegally redefined the term "spouse" in order to extend marriage benefits to same-sex couples "wed" outside the state. In Godfrey v. Spano, ADF attorneys argue that Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano illegally ordered county agencies to recognize out-of-state same-sex "marriages."

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:35:00 GMT

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.

ADF-allied attorney wins crucial victory for the church worldwide

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:05:00 GMT

A dissenting synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church that had its legal personality stripped and its property seized by the socialist government of Bulgaria has won a decisive victory at the European Court of Human Rights. Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Latcho Popov argued that the Bulgarian government violated the European Convention of Human Rights in its treatment of the synod.

NJ town: Permit required to exercise free speech

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:10:00 GMT

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.

NY school district refuses to recognize Bible club

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:30:00 GMT

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.

"What's Left of the Constitution?" Archive

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:00:00 GMT

“What’s Left of the Constitution?” is a periodic news digest featuring Alliance Defense Fund legal analysis of proposals, policies, and trends advanced by the federal government. On a regular basis, this digest specifically highlights policies and actions that move America away from the principles of the U.S. Constitution and closer to the demands of the political Left, especially ones that threaten religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and marriage and the family.

ADF attorney available to media after rally against stealth Wis. abortion plan

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Matt Bowman will be available for media interviews after speaking at a rally at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Saturday. The rally is being formed to protest a University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics plan to perform second-trimester abortions at a jointly operated facility.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing regarding pro-life speech in Pittsburgh

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:18:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman will be available for media interviews Wednesday following a hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Brown v. City of Pittsburgh. ADF attorneys are representing a nurse who is challenging a Pittsburgh ordinance that prohibits speech in specified zones outside abortion clinics.

Victory for California Christian school

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:07:00 GMT

The California Court of Appeal yesterday held that the state’s anti-discrimination laws do not forbid California Lutheran High School from using religious criteria in making admission and discipline decisions. The parents of two students sued the school because it suspended the teenage girls when they violated the school’s code of conduct by engaging in homosexual behavior.

Christian group now allowed to distribute fliers at Penn. school

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:51:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday after securing a settlement with the School District of Haverford Township, which agreed to allow a local Christian ministry to participate in its flier distribution program. ADF attorneys filed the suit last October on behalf of Child Evangelism Fellowship of Pennsylvania, arguing the district unconstitutionally denied the Christian group access to the program while admitting other groups.

Mass. law restricting speech around abortion clinics challenged on appeal

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:27:00 GMT

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.

Yuba College settles, ends two-hour per week ‘free speech’ policy

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom secured a settlement with Yuba Community College Friday on behalf of a student, putting an end to a campus policy that requires students to obtain a permit to exercise "free speech" during two allotted hours per week. Ryan Dozier was threatened with arrest and expulsion if he continued sharing the gospel on campus between classes.

ADF attorney to debate same-sex 'marriage,' religious freedom at Georgetown

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will join a panel discussion Monday with three other legal scholars at the Georgetown University Law Center over the issue of same-sex "marriage" and its effects on religious freedom in America.

No choice: Doctors forced to perform abortions or else?

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and the Alliance Defense Fund filed motions to intervene Wednesday in three lawsuits that seek to invalidate a federal law protecting medical professionals from discrimination because they refuse to participate in abortions. Three pro-life medical associations are seeking to defend the law against challenges by some state officials, Planned Parenthood, and the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.

ADF attorneys ask court to place child with married couple

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:15:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund and the Family Policy Council of West Virginia submitted a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals asking the court to place a 14-month-old foster child with a married family. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources had temporarily placed the child with a same-sex couple, but that couple now claims that their desire to adopt the child is more important than the department's effort to place the child in a family with a mom and dad as state law requires.

ADF seeks to defend Ark. voter-approved act protecting adopted children

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion to intervene Friday on behalf of the Family Council Action Committee to join the state of Arkansas in defending against a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU attorneys representing same-sex couples allege the state’s Act 1, which voters passed in last year’s November election to promote the best interests of children, is unconstitutional because it allegedly discriminates against unmarried cohabiting adults.

ADF attorneys submit brief defending Proposition 8

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys submitted a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Family Research Council Thursday in defense of California’s marriage amendment. The brief demonstrates that the authority to amend the constitution in California resides with the people and that this was legitimately done by the people in the passage of Proposition 8.

ADF: Marriage amendment needed in Maine more than ever

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:40:00 GMT

A marriage amendment is needed more than ever in the state of Maine, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, as legislators added to their agenda Tuesday a bill that would redefine marriage as a union between two “people.” The bill would do away with the state’s time-honored definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and would recognize same-sex “marriages” from other states.

ADF memo urges European Parliament to reject resolution on social policy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:00:00 GMT

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

ADF attorney to speak at press conference on proposed Ind. marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will participate in a press conference Monday when Indiana legislators will announce introduction of a proposed amendment to the state constitution that will protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Nimocks will speak and be available to answer questions from the media.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:20:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in firing of Calif. professor

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel David J. Hacker will be available for media interviews following a hearing in federal court Friday in a lawsuit filed on behalf of biology professor June Sheldon against San Jose/Evergreen Community College District officials. The school fired Sheldon for answering a student’s in-class question about heredity and homosexual behavior after another student supposedly complained that she was “offended,” even though Sheldon answered the question according to the curriculum.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Calif. library access case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Tim Chandler will be available for media interviews Friday after his oral arguments in Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries v. Glover. ADF attorneys are representing the Christian ministry in a lawsuit against Contra Costa County officials, contesting the constitutionality of a policy excluding groups from accessing public library meeting rooms for what the county considers “religious services.”

ADF-allied attorney available to media after hearing in N.C. pro-life event suit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Frederick Nelson will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments in federal court Thursday in Benham v. City of Charlotte. After Rev. Philip Benham was denied a “festival permit” for a Roe v. Wade anniversary event, Nelson filed suit on Benham’s behalf against the city, which declared the event a “demonstration” instead of a “festival” because it included praise, worship, and preaching of the Gospel.

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

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:30:00 GMT

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.

CLS attorney available to media following hearing in Christian school expulsion case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:09:00 GMT

An attorney with the Christian Legal Society will be available for media interviews outside the California Court of Appeal building in Riverside immediately following Wednesday’s hearing in Doe v. California Lutheran High School, a lawsuit threatening the religious freedom of Christian schools.

ADF attorneys successfully halt censorship of pro-life advocates in Ohio

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:59:00 GMT

A federal court has ruled that an Ohio town violated the First Amendment rights of pro-life advocates when police officers threatened them with arrest for engaging in pro-life speech. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Findlay on behalf of the pro-life advocates.

Univ. of Wis. Hospitals secret plan to perform second-trimester abortions unveiled

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:39:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter to University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Tuesday, asking that the institution refrain from implementing its secret and potentially illegal plans to perform second-trimester abortions in a jointly-operated clinic. The plan would likely compel unwilling employees to aid or participate in dismembering preborn babies, which would violate their religious conscience rights and may constitute an unlawful state funding of abortion.

ADF defends Wis. marriage amendment against renewed attack

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday on behalf of the Wisconsin Family Council to protect the Wisconsin marriage amendment after an appeal was filed challenging its constitutionality.

Christian fliers no longer banned, Maricopa School District settles suit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Maricopa Unified School District officials have changed the district’s literature distribution policy and now allows equal treatment of Christian groups on campus. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit in July after a church and its pastor were told that they would not be permitted to distribute their fliers to students. The previous district policy had allowed a wide array of nonprofit organizations to distribute literature, but targeted religious material for exclusion.

Court: Gospel message stays on NY public highway

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:45:00 GMT

A Christian man represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys received a favorable ruling against the New York Department of Transportation in federal court Thursday, keeping it from forcibly removing a trailer bearing a gospel message on Daniel Burritt's private business property along a public highway.

Iowa to permit state employees to donate to faith-based charities

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:10:00 GMT

After a lawsuit by attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund, the Iowa Department of Administration has agreed to allow state employees to contribute to faith-based charities through its voluntary state employee charitable donation program. The state corrected rules that excluded the charities from receiving voluntary donations through a payroll deduction system. Employees will no longer be limited to non-religious charities as choices.

ADF-allied attorneys prepared to challenge Luxembourg assisted suicide law if passed

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:30:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund is mobilizing efforts to judicially challenge a Luxembourg assisted suicide law if passed by the country’s parliament. ADF-allied attorneys are willing to offer pro bono legal assistance to physicians willing to bring suit regarding the constitutionality of the law in the wake of efforts to strip the grand duke of his ability to enact or veto legislation in that country.

ADF: Ariz. shouldn’t block disabled students from using vouchers

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:40:00 GMT

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.

CLS attorney available to media following hearing in Christian fraternity case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:45:00 GMT

An attorney with the Christian Legal Society will be available for media interviews outside the Elbert P. Tuttle Court of Appeals Building immediately following Wednesday's hearing in a federal lawsuit challenging unconstitutional discrimination by the University of Florida against a Christian fraternity.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing over same-sex ‘marriage’ in Iowa

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Douglas Napier will be available for media interviews before and after Tuesday’s oral arguments before the Iowa Supreme Court in a lawsuit challenging the state’s Defense of Marriage Act. ADF attorneys represent Iowa state legislators who filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the high court in defense of the act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman--the same definition that has existed for the entire history of the state.

ADF attorneys available to media after hearing over ‘JOHN316’ plates in Vt.

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys Jeremy Tedesco and David Cortman will be available for media interviews following Tedesco’s oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit Monday in Byrne v. Rutledge. ADF attorneys filed suit against Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles officials, arguing that they unconstitutionally denied a man’s application for a specialty plate because of its religious reference.

ADF-allied attorneys secure free speech for L.A. Jews for Jesus

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:18:00 GMT

The city of Los Angeles has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys on behalf of representatives of Jews for Jesus. Police arrested a member of the group for handing out religious material outside of an event at a public park.

Okla. court dismisses suit seeking same-sex ‘divorce’

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:30:00 GMT

An Oklahoma judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought a “divorce” between two women Tuesday. The Oklahoma Supreme Court had already ruled the lower court was within its authority to dismiss the divorce decree when the trial judge discovered both parties were of the same sex, but the high court returned the case to the trial court because the woman who filed the lawsuit claimed that she didn’t get a fair day in court.

Husband retains guardianship of wife over sister-in-law, securing spouse’s life

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:25:00 GMT

A man seeking to protect his disabled wife from having her nutrition and hydration removed by his sister-in-law succeeded in having the court name him as guardian Tuesday when the sister-in-law withdrew her application for guardianship. Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Joel Kirkpatrick represents Robert Lavers, the husband of Heather Lavers.

ADF-allied attorney available to media after hearing over life of Fla. woman

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Joel Kirkpatrick will be available for media interviews following his arguments Tuesday asking a court to prevent the transfer of guardianship over a disabled woman from her husband to her sister, who has indicated she might allow her to die. Kirkpatrick and other ADF-allied attorneys represent Robert Lavers in a lawsuit which seeks to keep his wife, Heather Lavers, alive.

ADF attorney available to media after same-sex ‘divorce’ hearing

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews immediately after Tuesday’s hearing in O’Darling v. O’Darling. ADF attorneys are representing Oklahoma Speaker of the House Chris Benge in the case involving details surrounding a so-called same-sex “divorce.”

ADF: U.S. Supreme Court should hear NJ coach’s prayer case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:00:00 GMT

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.

Court ruling means Modesto man free to speak

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:50:00 GMT

A federal court granted a motion Wednesday that allows a Christian man to freely share his faith in a Modesto public plaza while his lawsuit against the city moves forward in court. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of Kevin Borden in July after the city of Modesto restricted him and his friends from peacefully sharing their faith in a public plaza on Saturday evenings.

No stay on Proposition 8, marriage defenders allowed into lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:10:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that it will not issue a stay of Proposition 8 and granted a motion by defenders of Proposition 8 led by an ADF-allied attorney to intervene in a lawsuit filed against the new marriage amendment.

Court orders approval of Ariz. ‘Choose Life’ license plates

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:26:00 GMT

A federal court Wednesday ordered the Arizona License Plate Commission to approve a specialty license plate featuring the words "Choose Life."  Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represent the applicants for the plates, the Arizona Life Coalition.

Delaware woman’s parents now in agreement: their daughter must live

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have reached a favorable settlement in a lawsuit that had pitted father against mother over the life of their 24-year-old daughter who suffers from severe brain injury. Because of religious conviction and heartfelt interaction with her ex-husband’s family, the mother of Lauren Richardson decided to join cooperatively with Richardson’s father to care for their daughter and to drop her court request to remove Richardson’s feeding tube and water.

Indiana’s ‘In God We Trust’ plate in, Indiana woman’s ‘GOD’ plate out

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:25:00 GMT

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.

Pro-life organizations file brief to defend Ireland abortion ban

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Three pro-life organizations filed a brief Friday with the European Court of Human Rights in defense of Ireland’s ban on abortion. In September, the court granted the Family Research Council, represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, the opportunity to defend the ban jointly with two other pro-life organizations.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Modesto Christian speech case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:01:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available for media interviews following the continuation of oral arguments in federal court Monday in Borden v. City of Modesto. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of Kevin Borden in July after the city of Modesto restricted him and his friends from peacefully sharing their faith in a public plaza on Saturday evenings.

Calif. court: Christian student free to speak as case proceeds

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:40:00 GMT

A federal judge ordered Yuba Community College District officials Monday to temporarily suspend enforcement of policies against a student represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys. Yuba College officials threatened the student, Ryan Dozier, with arrest or expulsion for sharing his faith on campus in violation of college policies that dramatically restricted free speech. For example, the college prohibits student speech without a permit outside of the school’s “free speech” limits of one hour per day two days per week.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after Pa. parental rights trial

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews after the first day of the trial in Deeter v. Harner Wednesday. ADF-allied attorney David Dye, along with the Alliance Defense Fund, is representing a Perry County man in a parental custody battle over his daughter with the husband of his deceased ex-wife.

Jindal appoints ADF attorney to La. marriage and family commission

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:21:00 GMT

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Mike Johnson to the Louisiana Marriage and Family Commission. Jindal chose Johnson as an individual with expertise in the legal field, as required by state statute.

ACLU threatens La. town over festival with Christian participants

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:24:00 GMT

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.

ADF prepared to fight looming leftist agenda

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:55:00 GMT

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.

ADF-allied attorney available to media after hearing in N.C. pro-life event suit

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Frederick Nelson will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments in federal court Monday in Benham v. City of Charlotte. After Rev. Philip Benham was denied a “festival permit” for a Roe v. Wade anniversary event, Nelson filed suit on Benham’s behalf against the city, which declared the event a “demonstration” instead of a “festival” because it included praise, worship, and preaching of the Gospel.

Pretense of tolerance is over: Proposition 8 opponents attempt to defy voters

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:20:00 GMT

A new court petition filed by groups dissatisfied with the decision of California voters to protect marriage demonstrates the contempt such groups have for the will of the people, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The petition, filed with the California Supreme Court Wednesday, asks for an immediate stay of Proposition 8, which voters approved Tuesday.

Southeastern Louisiana University: Christian speaker needs permit to share faith

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:20:00 GMT

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.

ADF: Marriage amendment victories demonstrate voters don’t want activist courts

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:19:00 GMT

The success of state constitutional amendments on marriage that appeared on the ballot Tuesday in Arizona, California, and Florida demonstrates that voters want to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

ADF strongly condemns religious bigotry of anti-Proposition 8 ad

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:00:00 GMT

A new television ad sponsored by opponents of California’s Proposition 8 undeniably crosses the line of decency in its portrayal of religious supporters of the state’s marriage amendment, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The ad portrays two male LDS missionaries forcibly invading the home of two young women.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on abortion clinic standards

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments in defense of a state law being challenged by Planned Parenthood. Aden will be asking the court to uphold the decision of a lower court which determined that abortion clinics that dispense abortion-inducing drugs must abide by the same health and safety standards as other abortion clinics.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on ‘annoying’ religious speech

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot will be available for media interviews following his oral arguments Tuesday in Netherland v. City of Zachary. ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit against the city on behalf of a Christian man threatened with arrest for sharing a religious message outside a bar. A federal court ruled that a city ordinance banning “annoying” and “offensive” speech was likely unconstitutional, and the city appealed the decision.

ADF attorneys available to media after hearing on Md. voters’ rights

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Counsel Amy Smith and ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews following oral arguments in circuit court Friday in Bloem v. Montgomery County Board of Elections. Representing Montgomery County voters, ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit against the board for removing legislation from the ballot without notice to the petition sponsors. The suit also asks the court to stop enforcement of the legislation, which adds “gender identity” to the county’s anti-discrimination ordinances.

Settlement reached: Wis. school district no longer charging Christian club

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have reached a settlement with the Sun Prairie Area School District, ensuring Open Door Church of Sun Prairie that its Awana Club will no longer be required to pay discriminatory fees to meet on school property.

Lawsuit challenges $18 million in contracts awarded to Colo. abortionists

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed suit Wednesday, asking a Colorado court to cancel $18 million in illegal state contracts awarded over the last year to a Planned Parenthood affiliate and a Boulder abortion provider.

Massive support for roadside crosses dedicated to fallen Utah troopers

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:10:00 GMT

Numerous organizations and public officials filed friend-of-the-court briefs Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to defend the constitutionality of roadside memorials for fallen Utah troopers. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys, who filed their opening appellate brief Oct. 15, represent the Utah Highway Patrol Association against American Atheists, which sued the state to remove the roadside crosses that commemorate the officers.

ADF attorneys appeal ruling against halting flawed sign ordinance

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:35:00 GMT

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.

ADF brief defends ‘period of silence’ in Illinois schools

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:00 GMT

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.

Atlanta finally allows church to occupy its privately rented building

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:20:00 GMT

The city of Atlanta reversed course Thursday, agreeing to a consent order from a federal judge that will allow Kingdom First Ministries to begin meeting in its rented building immediately. The city made its decision after Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed suit against the city for illegitimately denying the church use of the building.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Modesto Christian speech case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available for media interviews following her oral arguments in federal court Monday in Borden v. City of Modesto. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of Kevin Borden in July after the city of Modesto restricted him and his friends from peacefully sharing their faith in a public plaza on Saturday evenings.

Police prevent more Md. pro-lifers from sharing message

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:12:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorneys secure settlement with Shippensburg University

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have settled a lawsuit with officials at Shippensburg University, bringing an end to the school’s unconstitutional “speech codes.” On behalf of a Christian student organization, the ADF Center for Academic Freedom had challenged the codes, which severely restricted students’ First Amendment rights.

Proposition 8 opponents show true colors in Chino Hills

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:50:00 GMT

Supporters of Proposition 8 in Chino Hills have been facing antagonism from two sources: vandals and city hall.

ADF attorneys file suit after Penn. school prohibits religious fliers

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:50:00 GMT

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.

Attorneys with ADF available to media after Penn. free speech hearing

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Randall L. Wenger and ADF Senior Legal Counsel Douglas H. Napier will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Thursday in Holman v. City of York, Snell v. City of York, and McTernan v. City of York at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. Wenger and ADF attorneys filed three separate lawsuits against the city of York on behalf of three pro-life counselors arrested or threatened with arrest for exercising their First Amendment rights.

ADF-allied attorney available to media after hearing in 7th Circuit church zoning appeal

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney David Langdon will be available for media interviews Wednesday following a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit concerning a Hazel Crest church prevented from meeting at property it has already legally purchased.

ADF attorney to debate same-sex ‘marriage,’ religious liberty at UCLA Wednesday

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will participate in a debate Wednesday at the UCLA School of Law on the effects of same-sex “marriage” on First Amendment rights. The debate will address how the conflict affects religious liberty and the right of conscience in the context of business owners, parents with children in public schools, applicants for professional licenses, houses of worship with tax-exempt status, and other aspects of society.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:15:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on Mo. ‘Choose Life’ plates

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will be available for media interviews following oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in a lawsuit over Missouri’s “Choose Life” license plates.

Court order re-opens doors for First Amendment in Wis. town

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:30:00 GMT

A federal judge signed a court judgment Tuesday against the village of Kewaskum, which had threatened a man with arrest for distributing Christian literature. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit in federal court in February to challenge a village ordinance that severely restricted the man’s constitutional right to free speech and religious freedom.

Permit requirement for pro-life signs suspended in Harford County, Md.

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:15:00 GMT

A federal judge approved an agreement Friday that prohibits Harford County from enforcing a permit requirement for hand-held signs which Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys are challenging in court. ADF attorneys contend the permit requirement, used against a group of pro-life advocates arrested, jailed, shackled, and/or strip searched after they held signs and shared their message along a public street in August, is unconstitutional.

La. AG stops voter disenfranchisement in three parishes

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:05:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are commending the Louisiana Attorney General’s office for stepping in to resolve the possible illegal disenfranchisement of voters in at least three of the state’s parishes.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on NY same-sex ‘marriage’ benefits

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Wednesday in Lewis v. New York State Department of Civil Service. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of taxpayers against the New York State Department of Civil Service for illegally redefining the term “spouse” in order to extend marriage benefits to same-sex couples “wed” outside the state.

Connecticut Supreme Court strikes at marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:30:00 GMT

In a 4–3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court Friday struck down the state’s marriage law, which defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman, saying it is unconstitutional. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys had filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Family Research Council asking the court to affirm marriage.

U.S. Supreme Court clears way for specialty plates featuring ‘Choose Life’ message

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Supreme Court denied review Monday of a challenge to an Arizona specialty license plate featuring the words “Choose Life.” The decision clears the way for the license plates to be offered to the public. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represent the plates’ proponents, the Arizona Life Coalition.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:55:00 GMT

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.

ADF-allied attorney available to media following trial of arrested pro-life advocates

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Frank Mylar will be available for media interviews following a trial Monday involving criminal charges filed against two pro-life women. Mylar represents the women, both of whom who were arrested after they peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights outside an abortion clinic. ADF is assisting with the defense.

ADF attorney to participate in USD same-sex ‘marriage’ debate

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Vice President Jeffery Ventrella will participate in a panel debate Monday at the University of San Diego on the topic of same-sex “marriage.” The debate will include discussion of Proposition 8, the proposed amendment to the California Constitution regarding marriage, as well as discussion of the California Supreme Court’s recent decision on marriage.

ADF: Montana judge’s decision is path to destruction of parental rights

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:50:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed an appeal Thursday of a Montana judge’s decision to grant parental rights to a woman who is a legal stranger to the children involved. The judge ruled that the former same-sex partner of Dr. Barbara Maniaci is entitled to parental rights simply because the two women lived together for a period of time.

Fight to let Montgomery County citizens vote on ‘gender identity’ bill continues

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:40:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of Montgomery County voters against the Montgomery County Board of Elections for unconstitutionally denying voters the right to be heard on a new law giving special legal protections based on “gender identity.”

Hickory, NC officials agree to respect constitutional right to share faith

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Two Christians arrested for expressing their faith in public have been assured by town officials that their constitutional right to religious free speech will be respected in the future. After criminal trespassing charges against Matthew and Jesse Boyd were dropped, they asked Alliance Defense Fund attorneys to represent them with the hope that their rights and those of other Christians will be respected in the future.

Yuba College: ‘Free speech’ tolerated two hours per week

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:15:00 GMT

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.

ADF prepared to defend churches against possible IRS free speech investigations

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:50:00 GMT

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.

Pulpit Freedom Sunday

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:05:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing involving free speech at Mt. Rushmore

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available for media interviews Friday following a hearing on behalf of a Minnesota man prohibited from sharing his faith at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota. ADF filed a lawsuit in federal court after the man was told he could not pass out religious literature near the entrance of the monument without a permit.

Settlement: Illinois church finally able to worship on own property

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT

The city of Carlinville has agreed to a settlement proposed by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney on behalf of the Carlinville Southern Baptist Church. The settlement means that the church can now use a former Wal-Mart building it purchased and renovated after the city and its mayor approved the church’s use of the building and then backed out of the agreement.

ADF offers ‘See You at the Pole’ students free legal backing

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:10:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they are ready to defend, free of charge, students who are prevented by public school officials from participating in the “See You at the Pole” event Wednesday. ADF attorneys sent a legal memo to all “See You at the Pole” staff and participants, informing them of the legal rights and precedents that entitle them to inform people about and take part in the student prayer event.

ADF to defend Irish abortion ban

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:40:00 GMT

The European Court of Human Rights has granted the Family Research Council, represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, the opportunity to defend Ireland’s ban on abortion.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing over Ariz. school tax credits

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Wednesday in Green v. Garriott. On behalf of the non-profit student tuition organization School Choice Arizona, ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief defending the constitutionality of Arizona’s corporate tax credit tuition program being attacked by the American Civil Liberties Union.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on firing of Christian psychologist

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews Tuesday following a hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Campion v. City of Springfield. ADF attorneys are representing a clinical psychologist who lost his contract with the city of Springfield to perform pre-hire employment screening tests because of his affiliation with a pro-family organization.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in lawsuit over Bible verses

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot will be available for media interviews following oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by two Michigan unemployment advocates banned from placing Bible verses on advertisements for their services.

Fla. Christian barred from sharing faith files suit

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:05:00 GMT

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.

ADF-allied attorneys secure victory for religious speech at NY college

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:40:00 GMT

A federal court ruled Tuesday that a Christian man arrested and charged with trespassing for expressing his faith on a public college campus had a constitutional right to his religious speech. Last year, a New York court acquitted Greg Davis, represented by Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys, of criminal charges. ADF provided funding for the criminal case and the subsequent civil lawsuit.

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

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

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.

Alaska woman will not be starved to death

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:50:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has secured an agreement to keep a hospitalized patient’s feeding tubes in place to preserve her life.

ADF: Opposing porn is free speech, not a conspiracy

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:10:00 GMT

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.

ADF appeals decision to uphold NY governor’s same-sex ‘marriage’ directive

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund submitted their notice of appeal Monday contesting a New York judge’s decision to uphold an illegal directive from Gov. David Paterson. The directive orders state agencies to recognize same-sex “marriages” from outside jurisdictions even though same-sex “marriage” is not legal under New York law.

ADF attorneys available to media after hearing on Montgomery Co. voters’ rights

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys will be available for media interviews following a hearing Monday in Doe v. Montgomery County Board of Elections. Groups advocating the creation of special legal rights for the sexually confused appealed a July 24 court decision that gave more than 900,000 voters the right to be heard on a controversial “gender identity” bill.

ADF-allied attorney secures settlement in favor of marriage amendment petitioners

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has settled a federal lawsuit against Broward County officials in favor of citizens who were circulating petitions for the state’s marriage protection amendment.

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

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorneys advise Mesa County officials regarding constitutionality of invocations

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:25:00 GMT

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.

ADF: Pro-abortion activists wrong on federal rights of conscience rule

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:48:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund submitted a letter Friday to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt disputing the claims of pro-abortion groups critical of a proposed rights of conscience rule. The rule would provide protections for health care workers who have a moral objection to prescribing abortion-inducing drugs.

Christians threatened with arrest at N.Y. “gay pride” event file suit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:45:00 GMT

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.

Settlement: Christian clubs can have announcements in Deer Valley schools

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:10:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have obtained a settlement from Deer Valley Unified School District officials that will end the district’s prohibition on a Christian student club’s fliers and PA announcements. The district has agreed to change policies that prohibited the meeting announcements and fliers but allowed them for other student clubs.

Court: Ohio library can’t prohibit meeting because of religious elements

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:35:00 GMT

A federal court ruled Thursday that an Ohio library violated the Constitution when it denied Citizens for Community Values access to its meeting room on the grounds that the proposed event contained “inherent elements of a religious service.” Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit on behalf of CCV against the Upper Arlington Public Library Board of Trustees on March 7.

Democracy denied: Court disenfranchises Oregon voters

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Thursday upheld a district court decision denying Oregon citizens the right to vote on a referendum that concerns a new state law which many believe violates the state’s marriage amendment. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on Dec. 3 on behalf of several disenfranchised Oregon voters after the secretary of state and several different county clerks invalidated their authentic petition signatures to place the referendum on the November ballot.

Anti-Christian group drops bid to end baptisms in Italy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:05:00 GMT

A group promoting anti-religious causes has dropped a legal bid to end baptisms in Italy after an Alliance Defense Fund-allied attorney became involved on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church and a bishop.

Maricopa School District reverses course, will allow religious flier distribution

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Maricopa Unified School District officials have reversed course and will allow the distribution of fliers by a local church on campus. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit July 24 after a church and its pastor were told that they would not be permitted to distribute their fliers to students. District policy allows nonprofit organizations to distribute literature, but only if the fliers do not contain religious material.

7th Circuit: Right to distribute religious literature affirmed

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:28:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled Thursday that an ordinance restricting the distribution of religious literature in Granite City is unconstitutional, upholding a previous district court ruling. The Alliance Defense Fund has provided funding for the case, being litigated by an ADF-allied attorney, for more than four years.

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:15:00 GMT

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.

ADF attorneys file brief supporting ‘moment of silence’ in Texas

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:00:00 GMT

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.

Univ. of Md. to change speech code, speech zone policies

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:00:00 GMT

University of Maryland-Baltimore County officials agreed Friday to modify their unconstitutional “speech code” and “speech zone” policies that restricted a pro-life student group from sharing its message on campus. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit April 2 on behalf of Rock for Life students against the university after it forced the group to move its pro-life display to less visible locations.

Prop. 8 proponents will appeal decision upholding flawed ballot title

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund and ProtectMarriage attorneys will immediately appeal Friday’s decision by a California judge that upheld wording changes made to the Proposition 8 ballot title by the state attorney general. The appeal will ask the California Court of Appeal to order the attorney general to comply with state election law that requires that the ballot title be fair and unbiased.

Calif. Court of Appeal says homeschooling OK under state law

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:45:00 GMT

The California Court of Appeal Friday found that the California Education Code allows parents to homeschool their children, reversing its own previous decision on the matter. The decision means that parents do not have to obtain state credentials in order to educate their own children at home.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on Univ. of Md. speech zone policy

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden will be available for media interviews following his arguments in federal court Friday in Rock for Life v. Hrabowski. Attorneys with the ADF Center for Academic Freedom represent Rock for Life, a student pro-life group that claims officials at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County invoked “speech code” and “speech zone” policies to deny it the same access to highly visited areas of campus that other student groups enjoy because they found Rock for Life’s message offensive.

ADF attorney available to media following Prop. 8 ballot title hearing

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Timothy Chandler will be available for media interviews following a hearing in Jansson v. Bowen, a lawsuit filed by proponents of Proposition 8, the proposed California marriage amendment, over inappropriate wording changes made to the ballot title by the state attorney general. ADF and ProtectMarriage attorneys are asking the court to order the attorney general to comply with the law regarding fair and unbiased phrasing for the title.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in lawsuit against N.Y. governor

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews following a hearing Thursday in a lawsuit brought by New York legislators and taxpayers against Gov. David Paterson for an executive directive he issued ordering state agencies to recognize out-of-state same-sex “marriages.”

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

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:30:00 GMT

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.

3rd Circuit upholds ruling against Temple University “speech code”

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit Monday upheld a federal judge’s ruling against Temple University’s former “speech code,” which prevented a graduate student from expressing his beliefs and opinions in class discussions and campus conversations, violating his First Amendment right to free speech. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom represent the student, Christian DeJohn.

ADF attorney available to media following 9th Circuit hearing involving Mont. church

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt will be available for media interviews Monday following a church’s free speech hearing in Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church v. Unsworth. ADF attorneys are appealing a 2006 court decision holding the church in violation of a Montana campaign finance law because it did not report to the state when speaking on the social issue of Montana’s marriage amendment.

11th Circuit orders Univ. of Fla.to recognize Christian fraternity

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ordered University of Florida officials Wednesday to stop discriminating against a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), while a lawsuit filed by Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys against school officials is on appeal.

ADF: 4th Circuit correct to rehear Va. abortion ban lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:52:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say that a significant 6-4 decision Monday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to rehear a case involving the constitutionality of Virginia’s partial birth abortion ban was the right choice. The full court will reconsider a previous decision by a three-judge panel that determined the ban was unconstitutional.

ADF attorneys submit brief to keep Uzbeki family together

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:49:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the Board of Immigration Appeals on behalf of an Uzbekistan man facing the possible deportation of his wife and separation from his child. The man has been allowed to stay in the United States because of persecution he endured in his homeland and the prospect of further persecution if he returns, but asylum can prevent his wife from being deported.

Judge’s ruling upholds Md. voters’ right to oppose “gender identity” bill

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:54:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing the citizen voter coalition Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government helped secure a favorable ruling from a Maryland court Thursday, giving 900,000 Montgomery County voters their right to be heard on their petition against a “gender identity” bill. Groups not wanting the will of the people to be heard on the bill attempted to disenfranchise and silence hundreds of thousands of county voters.

Maricopa School District says no to religious content on fliers

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:32:00 GMT

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.

Court rules to preserve life of Calif. woman deprived of food, water

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:00:00 GMT

A California woman deprived of life-sustaining care, including food and water, for nearly two weeks now has a chance to live. On Tuesday, the Fresno County Superior Court ordered that Janet Rivera’s feeding tube and water be reinstated until a July 29 trial. The court will decide whether the responsibility for managing Janet’s medical care should be transferred from the Fresno County Public Guardian to Janet’s cousin, Suzanne Emrich, who is represented by Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Brian Chavez-Ochoa.

Wayne State University denies funds, access to pro-life student group

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:06:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed suit Wednesday after officials of Wayne State University refused to allow a pro-life student group the same access to student fees and facilities that other student groups have.

CLS, ADF attorneys secure victory in Colo. student funding case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:06:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit held Wednesday that Colorado officials violated the U.S. Constitution by excluding Colorado Christian University and its students from state tuition assistance programs on the ground that the school is “pervasively sectarian.” Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and the Alliance Defense Fund are on the legal team representing CCU.

Court refuses to reconsider ruling against Georgia Tech

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:51:00 GMT

A federal judge Wednesday denied a request by the Georgia Institute of Technology to reconsider his previous ruling which struck down provisions of the institute’s “Safe Space” training program as unconstitutional because it favored one religious denomination over another. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom represent two students, Orit Sklar and Ruth Malhotra, who were subjected to religious discrimination at the school.

City of Modesto excludes Christian speech from public square

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:36:00 GMT

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.

ADF achieving results internationally

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:18:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has been actively involved in several recent international legal situations to protect families worldwide and protect America from the effects of poor international legal decisions.

N.H. school unconstitutionally rejects vacation Bible school fliers, permits others

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:07:00 GMT

After the Hudson School District refused to allow vacation Bible school fliers to be made available to students as part of the district’s public literature distribution program, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday against the district on behalf of the Christian woman who submitted the fliers. The district’s superintendent rejected the fliers on the grounds they were religious.

Court: Atheist organization can’t sue over treatment center for troubled children

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:27:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys say a federal court made the right call Thursday in rejecting a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation over state referrals to a non-profit, church-affiliated treatment center for troubled children.

San Jose professor fired for answering student’s genetics question

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:09:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom and Pacific Justice Institute filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a former San Jose City College biology professor fired for answering a student’s in-class question about heredity and homosexual behavior.

Calif. Supreme Court rejects lawsuit against Calif. marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

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.

Ga. counselor fired for honoring professional, ethical obligations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of a licensed counselor who was fired after referring a person seeking counsel with a same-sex relationship to a colleague. Rather than attempt to provide a service that would conflict with her sincerely-held religious beliefs on homosexual behavior, Marcia Walden acted in the best interests of the potential client and referred her to another counselor; however, the counselee later filed a complaint that ultimately cost Walden her job.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in lawsuit against N.Y. governor

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:51:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews following a hearing Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by New York legislators and taxpayers against Gov. David Paterson for an executive directive he issued ordering state agencies to recognize out-of-state same-sex “marriages.”

ADF attorneys ask Kansas Gaming Commission to delay casino decision

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:31:00 GMT

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.

Alaska court: Tax exemption for religious school constitutional

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:44:00 GMT

An Alaska court has ruled that a property tax exemption for religious schools does not violate either the state or federal constitution. ADF-allied attorney Kevin Clarkson represented two churches in the case.

ADF-allied attorneys set to back Florida fair funding referendum

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:17:00 GMT

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.

Settlement ensures rights of Michigan church will be respected

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:41:00 GMT

A Michigan church has reached a favorable settlement in a lawsuit filed by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney against the city of Muskegon. The city planning commission had unlawfully prohibited the church from using a vacant car dealership as a house of worship but has now agreed to allow the congregation to use the building.

ADF attorney available to media following ‘right of conscience’ hearing

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:22:00 GMT

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Erik Stanley and ADF-allied attorney Kristen Waggoner will be available to answer questions from the media Tuesday following oral arguments in Stormans v. Selecky. ADF and allied attorneys with Ellis, Li & McKinstry filed the lawsuit in 2007 to safeguard the rights of pharmacists and pharmacies against newly-passed state regulations which forced them to stock or distribute abortion-inducing drugs regardless of their religious or moral opposition.

ADF attorney available to discuss disenfranchisement of Oregonians after 9th Circuit hearing

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:17:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews immediately following oral arguments Tuesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Lemons v. Bradbury. ADF attorneys are appealing a ruling by a federal judge that denied Oregon voters the opportunity to vote on a new law which some Oregon voters believe runs counter to the state’s 2004 Marriage Protection Amendment.

Settlement secured for group barred from expressing faith in N.Y. park

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:33:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has secured a settlement on behalf of members of a Christian group barred from expressing their faith in a public park. The free speech rights of Jews for Jesus members were violated when Oyster Bay officials placed numerous restrictions on their activities, including a threat to remove them from the area if any patrons were “offended” by their message.

Oklahoma Supreme Court: Judge okay to vacate same-sex couple’s “divorce”

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a state judge acted within his authority when he vacated a divorce unknowingly granted to two women. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case in October 2007 on behalf of then-Oklahoma Speaker of the House Lance Cargill, arguing that the state cannot grant a divorce to two people when the state does not even recognize them as married.

ADF files suit disputing N.M. commission’s ruling against Christian photographer

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in state court Tuesday to appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission against an Albuquerque photography company. The commission ruled that the company, run by a Christian husband and wife, was guilty of “sexual orientation” discrimination under state antidiscrimination laws for declining to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”

ADF attorneys file response to attack on Calif. marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:16:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund and ProtectMarriage attorneys filed their response with the California Supreme Court Monday to a lawsuit designed to remove the state’s marriage amendment from the November ballot. On June 20, Equality California filed suit against the constitutional amendment, which has already qualified for inclusion in the Nov. 4 election.

ADF offers to help U.S. Navy stand up against ACLU

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:28:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter to the U.S. Naval Academy Friday, offering free legal representation in the event the American Civil Liberties Union makes good on its threat to sue the academy if it does not abandon its tradition of offering prayer before meals.

ADF secures settlement for Christian fired for requesting Sundays off

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:23:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund finalized a settlement agreement Friday on behalf of a Christian fired from his job simply because he requested not to work on Sundays.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in 4th of July cross case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available for media interviews following a hearing Tuesday in a lawsuit over a cross that Chesapeake officials ordered out of a public park last 4th of July. ADF attorneys filed suit in April on behalf of a Christian group that set up the cross next to their booth at the park following an Independence Day parade in which the group participated.

ADF will defend Ariz. marriage amendment against any legal attacks

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:41:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will defend the proposed constitutional amendment on marriage approved by the Arizona Senate Friday against any attempts to have it removed from the November ballot.

8th Circuit: S.D. can enforce women’s “right to know” abortion law

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:35:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled 7–4 Friday to lift an injunction against a South Dakota informed consent abortion law. The law requires abortionists to inform women about the nature of abortion and the risks involved before they elect to terminate their pre-born child’s life. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys authored and filed a friend-of-the-court brief defending the law on behalf of the Family Research Council.

Order stops enforcement of unconstitutional St. Louis literature distribution policy

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:04:00 GMT

A federal judge issued an order Tuesday that will permit a Christian ministry to hand out literature and speak about their religious viewpoint at an annual “PrideFest” event celebrating homosexual behavior. The court order, requested by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, restrains city officials from enforcing an unconstitutional policy they used two years earlier at a city park to ban the same group from distributing literature and expressing their views.

ADF commends signing of “Jesse’s Law”

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:07:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund is applauding Arizona’s enactment Tuesday of a bill known as “Jesse’s Law.” The new law, inspired by the amazing ordeal of Jesse Ramirez, closed a loophole in the decision-making process for patients who are physically unable to communicate their wishes regarding medical care.

No meetings for Christians at Ohio civic center

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:24:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit against Union Township Tuesday on behalf of Citizens for Community Values for denying the Christian educational group access to a public meeting room. The township repeatedly failed to provide CCV with any policy or documentation to justify its denial, only stating that the religious content of CCV’s “Politics and the Pulpit” event might violate the so-called “separation of church of state.”

ADF advises officials in Ohio, Wisconsin regarding constitutionality of invocations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:06:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent letters to public officials in two states Friday, advising leaders of both bodies regarding the constitutionality of allowing public meetings to open with prayer. Both the Greenfield City Council and the Wisconsin State Assembly have received legal threats from anti-religious organizations.

ADF, CLS suit prompts Univ. of S.C. to correct funding inequities

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:52:00 GMT

The University of South Carolina has changed its policy of excluding religious student organizations from student activities fee allocations available to other recognized student organizations. The change came about as the result of a federal lawsuit filed in February by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom and Christian Legal Society Center for Law & Religious Freedom.

ADF: Equality California “desperate to evade democracy”

ADF Media Relations — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will fight a new lawsuit filed by Equality California that seeks to prevent California voters from having any say on marriage. The lawsuit filed Friday attempts to remove California’s proposed marriage amendment from the November ballot even though the amendment has already qualified for inclusion.

6th Circuit reverses dismissal of lawsuit against Ohio's Miami University

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:08:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled in favor of Alliance Defense Fund attorneys in a free speech case Thursday, reversing a lower court’s ruling which resulted in the dismissal of the case. The lower court ruling upheld a Miami University policy under which a Christian man was barred from exercising his First Amendment rights on campus.

Court order stops Grand Rapids ordinance from prohibiting spontaneous Christian speech

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:25:00 GMT

After a negotiated settlement, Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys secured a court order Thursday barring the city of Grand Rapids from using a local ordinance to prevent a group of Christians from publicly expressing a religious message at a city park.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in same-sex “marriage” recognition lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:57:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum will be available for media interviews following a hearing Monday in a lawsuit alleging Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano illegally ordered county agencies to recognize out-of-state same-sex “marriages.”

ADF attorneys available to media following hearing in crucial Calif. homeschooling case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys will be available for media interviews following a hearing Monday in an important homeschooling case. In March, the California Court of Appeal agreed to reconsider its decision in the case In re: Rachel L., which stated that parents who lack a teaching certificate cannot lawfully teach their children at home.

ADF ready to defend Tenn. marriage amendment free of charge

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will offer once again to defend Tennessee’s marriage amendment and other marriage laws if they come under legal attack by Tennessee same-sex couples who “marry” in California. Recent media reports indicated that at least one same-sex couple from Tennessee who obtained a “marriage” license in California intends to sue for recognition of their union in their home state.

Court tosses Fla. statute banning Bible distribution on public sidewalk

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:46:00 GMT

A federal court Wednesday ruled in favor of attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and permanently struck down sections of a state statute used to bar a member of Gideons International from distributing Bibles on a public sidewalk. The court determined that the statute under which Thomas Gray was threatened with arrest was “constitutionally vague” in violation of the 14th Amendment.

N.Y. policy illegally honoring outside same-sex “marriages” contested

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:19:00 GMT

In defense of marriage in New York, attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed their opening brief in a New York appellate court Monday to prevent officials from illegally recognizing same-sex “marriages” conducted outside the state.

NYDOT agrees to delay confiscation of trailer displaying Gospel message

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:42:00 GMT

A gospel message displayed on private business property in Gouverneur will remain until a decision is reached in a lawsuit filed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys. New York Department of Transportation officials agreed to delay their plan to force Daniel Burritt to remove the tractor trailer bearing the message until 30 days after a decision is reached in the case.

ADF defends FCC indecency regulations at U.S. Supreme Court

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:05:00 GMT

Attorneys and allied attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to reverse an appellate court judgment that overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s censure of indecent language broadcast during Fox’s televised Billboard Music Awards. The appellate court held that because the words in question were merely “fleeting expletives,” Fox shouldn’t be held accountable for breaking FCC rules that forbid the use of indecent language on network television while children are likely to be watching.

1st Circuit: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is constitutional

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:10:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit ruled Monday that the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on homosexual behavior does not violate the U.S. Constitution. As argued in a friend-of-the-court brief funded by the Alliance Defense Fund and filed by the National Legal Foundation, the court determined that the policy is constitutional because it is based upon important considerations of military life, not irrational fears or prejudices.

Mayor reneges on settlement, Ill. church’s renovation project in limbo

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:59:00 GMT

After an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney secured a settlement agreement with the city of Carlinville over a church’s renovation of a former Wal-Mart building, Mayor Robert Schwab vetoed the agreement Thursday. He was a part of the negotiating team that originally approved the settlement with the court, prior to his veto of the city council’s decision.

Ohio public library policy banning Christian meetings challenged

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:07:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys filed suit Wednesday against the Clermont County Public Library for not allowing a seminar because it involved biblical references. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of an Ohio couple and the Institute for Principled Policy after the library denied their request to access a library meeting room to conduct a biblically based financial planning seminar.

ADF: 4-to-3 decision in Calif. a vote for nationwide legal chaos

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:08:00 GMT

The decision of the California Supreme Court Wednesday refusing to wait until after a vote in November on a proposed state marriage amendment to implement its May 15 marriage decision ignored the pleas of millions of California voters and attorneys general from 10 other states to prevent legal chaos, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

ADF: Ballot initiative for Calif. marriage amendment not “speculation”

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:50:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund submitted documents to the California Supreme Court Tuesday on the heels of the proposed state marriage amendment’s qualification for the November ballot. The documents ask the court to take official notice that the amendment’s inclusion on the ballot is no longer uncertain because of the California secretary of state’s certification of the citizen initiative.

ADF attorneys file suit against N.Y. Gov. Paterson

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit Tuesday in New York state court on behalf of lawmakers and taxpayers to halt implementation of Gov. David Paterson’s directive ordering state agencies to recognize same-sex “marriages” from other jurisdictions.

Alaska Supreme Court issues order to keep patient alive

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:12:00 GMT

The Alaska Supreme Court granted an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney’s motion for stay and signed an order Friday that will keep Providence Hospital from removing a woman’s life-support tubes. Ending her life support could result in her death within minutes or days.

Florida man fails to have wife’s feeding tube removed

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:40:00 GMT

A state judge has signed an order, requested by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, to appoint a committee that will make recommendations on the health of Karen Weber. Weber is a stroke victim whose husband wants to have her feeding tube removed even though his wife made clear that she doesn’t desire to go to hospice and has communicated with family and friends.

ADF asks Md. court to let the people be heard

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:12:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday asking a Maryland court to protect the valid petition signatures of Montgomery County voters. Representing a citizen voter coalition, ADF attorneys are arguing against a lawsuit filed by a group of self-described homosexual and transsexual plaintiffs that seeks to disenfranchise over 900,000 Montgomery County residents from having their say on a controversial “gender identity” bill.

Wisconsin marriage amendment upheld

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:40:00 GMT

A Wisconsin court threw out a challenge to the state’s marriage amendment Friday, ruling that the amendment does not violate state law. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys had filed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing for the constitutionality of the amendment.

ACLU fails to silence religious expression in Wilson County schools

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:06:00 GMT

A court order issued Thursday fell short of granting the American Civil Liberties Union what it was seeking in its lawsuit against the Wilson County School System, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Wash. school district agrees to respect student prayer meetings

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:45:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have obtained a favorable settlement for a Christian student who filed suit against the East Valley School District. The settlement acknowledges the student’s constitutional right to meet on campus for religious purposes during non-instructional time. School officials initially prohibited her from meeting with other schoolmates for prayer, discussion, and fasting in a room regularly open for other student-organized gatherings.

City of Yuma: Churches just don’t fit

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:51:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy asked a federal court Wednesday to require the City of Yuma to stop discriminating against a Yuma church. In July 2007, the city rejected the church’s application for a permit to use its property in the Old Town District for church services; however, the city has approved such permits for nonreligious groups that assemble in the district.

Pa. court reverses decision against midwife for helping Amish woman

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:51:00 GMT

A Pennsylvania appeals court has reversed a State Board of Medicine ruling against a midwife who had been fined and ordered to cease practicing after she assisted an Amish woman during childbirth. ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of the woman last year, arguing that a state board wrongly interpreted statutes so as to outlaw the practice of lay midwifery, a practice relied upon by many religious communities in the commonwealth, including the Amish.

Panel discussion on California marriage decision Thursday includes ADF attorney

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:02:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Glen Lavy, who recently argued before the California Supreme Court to defend marriage, will participate in a panel discussion Thursday on the national implications of the California Supreme Court’s May 15 marriage decision. The Family Research Council is hosting the event at the National Press Club in Washington.

6th Circuit upholds protections for Grand Rapids citizens against sex shops

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has ruled that an ordinance restricting sexually-oriented businesses is constitutional, upholding a lower court’s decision in the case. An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney represents a group of local citizens wishing to protect their families from the harmful secondary effects of such businesses.

Court allows Catholic elementary school construction despite zoning officials’ roadblock

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:54:00 GMT

A Georgia court granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the city of Suwanee Friday, allowing construction of a Catholic elementary school to begin. After the City of Suwanee prevented Notre Dame Academy from building on property already zoned for its use, Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys filed a lawsuit on the academy’s behalf.

ADF: Sharing religious views on public sidewalk is not a crime

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:21:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney has secured a settlement with city of Beaumont officials that will result in changes to an ordinance that violates the First Amendment rights of citizens wishing to publicly express their views. Under the old ordinance, two men were arrested and charged for sharing their religious views on a public sidewalk.

ADF asks Calif. justices to hold marriage order until amendment vote

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:22:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a petition with the California Supreme Court Thursday asking the court to delay the effective date of its May 15 decision on marriage until after California voters have been heard on a constitutional amendment in November. ADF attorneys argue that doing so will prevent obvious legal problems from occurring if the court’s decision becomes effective prior to possible approval of the amendment.

ADF attorneys defend citizen silenced at city council meeting

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court Wednesday on behalf of a Mulvane citizen who was silenced by the mayor when she tried to express her concerns at a public meeting about the opening of a casino.

S.C. General Assembly passes bill on prayer before public meetings

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:53:00 GMT

The South Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that provides guidelines to public bodies within the state regarding their right to open a meeting with prayer. The bill, which adopts a version of the Alliance Defense Fund’s model invocation policy, now awaits a signature from Gov. Mark Sanford to become law. Sanford has already indicated his intention to sign it.

Court affirms will of Oregon voters: marriage amendment constitutional

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:25:00 GMT

An Oregon appeals court ruled Wednesday that Measure 36, the state’s constitutional amendment affirming marriage as the union between one man and one woman, is constitutional. The Alliance Defense Fund provided funding to attorney Kelly Clark, who defended the amendment before the court on behalf of the Defense of Marriage Coalition.

ADF attorney available to media following trial in Montana parental rights case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:43:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will argue before the Missoula County Fourth Judicial District Court on behalf of a mother who is asking the court to reject visitation and parental rights demanded by a woman not biologically or legally related to her children.

Ramsey County, Minn., threatens tax-exempt status of nearly 800 churches

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:34:00 GMT

Ramsey County officials are demanding that nearly 800 churches and related organizations submit forms and information or else risk loss of tax-exempt status, despite Minnesota law that exempts churches from such requirements. An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney succeeded in obtaining an order from the Minnesota Tax Court that prevents the county from collecting property tax from one church through the end of legal proceedings, but the case continues in court. The county’s actions unlawfully place the tax-exempt status of hundreds of churches in jeopardy.

Maryland high court affirms parental rights for fit parents

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:41:00 GMT

The Maryland Court of Appeal ruled Monday in favor of a mother defending her parental rights against a non-parent’s claim to her eight-year-old girl. ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Family Research Council asking the court to affirm the constitutional parental rights of the mother.

Wisconsin student wins settlement in “JOHN 3:16” drawing case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:17:00 GMT

A settlement reached between Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and the Tomah Area School District means the district will respect students’ constitutional right to religious expression in their artwork.

ADF & FPCWV: W.V. town does not need to abandon invocations

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:44:00 GMT

The Family Policy Council of West Virginia mailed a model prayer policy designed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys to Charles Town officials Friday in the wake of a recent complaint over the city council’s tradition of starting its meetings with an invocation. Numerous communities across the nation have adopted the model policy.

ADF: Planned Parenthood should surrender records after not reporting rape

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:07:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of 27 pro-family organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Ohio Supreme Court Monday in a case involving Planned Parenthood staff who failed to report the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl abused by her school’s soccer coach. The coach, age 21, brought the girl to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Cincinnati to have an abortion after discovering he had impregnated her.

IRS rejects AU complaint, finds Calif. church didn’t violate tax code

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:18:00 GMT

Following an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney’s response to an investigation of First Baptist Church of Buena Park, the Internal Revenue Service has concluded that political endorsements by Pastor Wiley Drake in e-mails and on his radio show were made without any connection to the church. As a result, the IRS is no longer considering revocation of the church’s tax-exempt status.

Marriage jeopardized after Calif. high court decision unless voters approve amendment

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:45:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court ruled 4–3 Thursday that Proposition 22, the California Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, is unconstitutional. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys who defended Proposition 22 note that the outcome illustrates precisely why a state law alone is not sufficient to protect marriage.

Federal court: San Diego treated church with “outright hostility”

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:30:00 GMT

A federal court handed victory to a Rancho Bernardo church Friday in its land use battle with San Diego officials and two planning boards, noting that officials demonstrated “outright hostility” toward the church and failed to consider relevant federal law. The Alliance Defense Fund provided funding in the case.

ADF attorney available to media after Calif. Supreme Court releases marriage decision

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:21:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Glen Lavy will be available for media interviews Thursday at 10 a.m. PDT when the California Supreme Court releases its decision on the constitutionality of the state’s Defense of Marriage Act, Proposition 22. Lavy argued before the court on March 4 in defense of the law, which voters passed in 2000 to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman only.

Pro life? Beware of the “permit process”

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Silencing pro-life speech is unconstitutional, but that hasn't stopped many public officials from doing so. While the result is always inexcusable, the methods used are often quite creative. Take Raleigh, North Carolina, where officials excuse their censorship by blaming the "permit process."

Settlement allows Christians in Miss. town to exercise free speech

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund reached a favorable settlement agreement with the City of Wiggins Monday in the case Wallace v. City of Wiggins. The agreement allows the plaintiffs, Shannon Wallace and Wesley Sewell, to preach along public ways in Wiggins as long as no ordinances or laws are violated.

Coast Guard relents, allows officer to refuse vaccine from aborted baby

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:45:00 GMT

U.S. Coast Guard officials who initially refused to excuse an officer from being injected with a vaccine derived from an aborted child have relented in the wake of a lawsuit filed on behalf of the officer by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys. The U.S. Coast Guard had refused to grant an exemption for Officer Joseph J. Healy, who is Catholic, even though it allows exemptions based on other religious beliefs.

Judge halts discriminatory actions at Deer Valley Unified School District

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:55:00 GMT

A federal judge Friday ordered the Deer Valley Unified School District to end its prohibition on a Christian student club’s PA announcements. The district is required to allow the meeting announcements as it does for other student clubs while a student’s civil rights lawsuit, filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, moves forward in court.

Judge rules Planned Parenthood clinics dispensing RU-486 must follow law

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:30:00 GMT

A Missouri judge ruled Friday that a state law that enforces health and safety standards for surgical abortion clinics also regulates clinics that dispense the abortion-inducing drug RU-486.

ADF announces new initiative to reclaim pastors’ First Amendment rights

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:53:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund announced a new initiative Friday that will challenge the tactics of groups that use the Internal Revenue Service to intimidate churches and pastors into silence on important issues of the day.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on abortion clinic standards

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:39:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt will be available for media interviews following his participation in a hearing in which ADF attorneys are defending state law against a Planned Parenthood lawsuit. Schowengerdt will be asking the court to determine if a Missouri law that enforces health and safety standards for abortion clinics also regulates clinics that dispense the abortion-inducing drug RU-486.

Mich. Supreme Court ruling protects marriage, taxpayers from ACLU demands

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:59:00 GMT

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled 5–2 Wednesday that the state’s constitutional amendment protecting marriage does not allow for the extension of taxpayer-funded benefits to the unmarried “domestic partners” of state and municipal employees. ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, arguing that the state can extend benefits to whomever it wishes so long as it doesn’t do so on the basis or a marriage-like status prohibited by the Michigan Constitution.

ADF: Foreign same-sex “marriage” issue unresolved in New York

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:55:00 GMT

Although the New York Court of Appeals declined to hear an appeal from an appellate court’s decision holding that municipalities must recognize foreign same-sex “marriages” in the Empire State, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys point out that the final word has not yet been heard on the issue. The court reasoned that it could not hear the case because the lower court’s decision had yet to “finally determine the action.” Once that occurs, the Court of Appeals may again be asked to consider the case.

ADF: Shippensburg University’s speech codes violate students’ free speech rights

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:10:00 GMT

Attorneys and allied attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed suit against Shippensburg University Wednesday for its continued violations of student free speech rights. The university reinstituted unconstitutional policies it was supposed to revise or drop as part of a 2004 legal settlement.

Abortionist George Tiller unable to stall grand jury

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:30:00 GMT

In a unanimous ruling, the Kansas Supreme Court Tuesday thwarted an effort by accused serial abortionist George Tiller to stop a grand jury from issuing subpoenas to obtain medical records from him. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief arguing that the grand jury has the right to issue the subpoenas.

ADF: Minn. elementary students shouldn’t be indoctrinated in homosexual behavior

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are urging the Minneapolis Public Schools not to implement a program that would instruct kindergartners and other elementary school students to embrace homosexual behavior.

9th Circuit thwarts Wash. state’s attempt to stall conscience rights

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:15:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Thursday that Washington pharmacists’ rights of conscience will be protected while an appeal by state officials who oppose those rights moves forward. The ruling means that a court order requested by ADF and ADF-allied attorneys to suspend newly-passed state regulations will remain in place. The regulations forced pharmacies and pharmacists to stock or distribute abortion-inducing drugs regardless of their religious or moral opposition.

ADF: Colorado Legislature should reject sexual ‘non-discrimination’ bill

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent a legal memo to the Colorado Legislature Wednesday informing members of problems with a statewide non-discrimination bill currently under review. If passed, the bill would add “sexual orientation” and “transgender status” as protected categories in the state’s nondiscrimination laws.

Court: Georgia Tech “Safe Space” program not safe from Constitution

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:45:00 GMT

A federal judge has ruled another policy unconstitutional at Georgia Institute of Technology in a lawsuit Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed on behalf of two students. The court already struck down a “speech code” policy at the university, but additionally ruled Wednesday that provisions of the school’s “Safe Space” program discriminate against religion and are therefore unconstitutional.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Wis. religious drawing lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:18:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys will be available for media interviews following a hearing Thursday in A.P. v. Tomah Area School District. ADF attorneys are asking the court to suspend an unconstitutional policy prohibiting religious art while a federal lawsuit moves forward.

ADF ready to defend observance of National Day of Prayer

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys sent an informational letter last week to nearly 1,200 of the nation’s largest cities, advising them of their constitutional right to recognize and participate in the 2008 National Day of Prayer Thursday. ADF attorneys will also be available to defend, free of charge, any municipality that is threatened with legal action for observing the event.

ADF attorneys appeal N.C. pro-life advocate’s free speech case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to take another look at the case of pro-life advocate Dennis Green, whom Raleigh police silenced for peacefully expressing his views on abortion.

Vt. school recognizes Bible club after ADF attorneys file suit

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:52:00 GMT

As a result of a settlement reached Tuesday between Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and the Middlebury Union High School District, school officials will grant a student-run Bible club formal recognition. The change will allow members to gain access to the same benefits afforded to other campus clubs.

Kentucky student’s ordeal continues

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:40:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have filed an appeal to the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit against the Boyd County Board of Education on behalf of Kentucky student Timothy Morrison. Morrison’s constitutional rights were violated when a former mandatory “tolerance” program at his high school instructed him to suppress any speech that opposes homosexual behavior.

Texas town hinders church ministry from helping parolees

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:19:00 GMT

An ADF-allied attorney filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday after a new Bellmead ordinance forced a church to stop operating a ministry for parolees. The House Where Jesus Shines, Inc., sponsored by the Church of the Open Door, is suing the city of Bellmead for intentionally changing the zoning on the ministry’s newly purchased property to preclude it from opening its doors, even though it is in an industrial zone.

Chicago cannot stop church lawsuit for lien over bake sales

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:15:00 GMT

A court Thursday blocked the city of Chicago’s attempt to stop a lawsuit filed by an ADF-allied attorney representing Beth-El All Nations Church. The city, which has sought in the past to obtain the church’s property for redevelopment, placed a lien on the property without notifying the church, alleging the congregation engaged in unspecified “resale activity” without collecting and paying sales tax. The church says it has not engaged in any such activity other than exempt charitable bake sales.

School says transportation OK for student clubs...unless they’re Christian

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:34:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit and a request for a temporary restraining order against Calcasieu Parish Public Schools Thursday. School officials prohibited students of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club from using school buses to attend an event even though the school does not prohibit other clubs from using the buses.

Students nationwide to observe “Day of Truth” Monday

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:27:00 GMT

Monday, high school students across the nation will have the opportunity to participate in the fourth annual “Day of Truth,” a student-led initiative sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund.

Illinois school must allow “Be Happy, Not Gay” T-shirt

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit reversed a lower court’s ruling against an Illinois student Wednesday, saying the district court must order a Naperville high school to suspend its ban on a T-shirt that reads “Be Happy, Not Gay” while the student’s lawsuit proceeds. School officials prohibited student Alex Nuxoll, who is represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, from wearing the clothing.

Press conference Thursday on submission of Calif. marriage amendment petitions

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Joe Infranco will lead a press conference Thursday when signed petitions from California voters in favor of a marriage amendment to the state constitution are submitted to the Sacramento County Office of the Registrar of Voters.

ADF files motion to halt policy in “JOHN 3:16” drawing case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:30:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed a motion Tuesday asking a federal court to immediately suspend a Wisconsin school district’s unconstitutional prohibition against religious expression while a student’s lawsuit moves forward. A teacher’s grading policy in the Tomah Area School District bars depictions of “blood, violence, sexual connotations, [or] religious beliefs” in student artwork.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in Deer Valley student lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:34:00 GMT

ADF attorneys will be available for media interviews following a hearing Thursday in E.K. v. Deer Valley Unified School District. ADF attorneys are asking the court to put a hold on district and school policies used to unconstitutionally restrict the First Amendment rights of Christian students while a student’s lawsuit against the district moves forward.

ADF files appeal to protect, preserve marriage in New York

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:29:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed an appeal Monday on behalf of a group of New York taxpayers in an effort to stop officials from illegally recognizing same-sex “marriages” performed outside the Empire State.

ADF attorneys protect Alabama student’s right to perform religious song

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:15:00 GMT

A Christian student told he could not perform a religious song at a high school talent show was permitted to perform it with another student Friday, after ADF attorneys representing the student sent a letter to Baldwin County Public Schools officials on his behalf. The student’s song won the talent show.

ADF attorneys appeal ASU pro-life speech case to 9th Circuit

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:42:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed an appeal Tuesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on behalf of an Arizona State University pro-life club in a lawsuit challenging unlawful restrictions on their speech.

ADF to appeal N.M. commission’s ruling against Christian photographer

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission Wednesday because of its “stunning disregard” for the First Amendment. The commission found an Albuquerque photography company, run by a Christian husband and wife, guilty of “sexual orientation” discrimination under state antidiscrimination laws for declining to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”

Court refuses to dismiss professor’s discrimination suit against UNC-Wilmington

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:39:00 GMT

The University of North Carolina-Wilmington must face a lawsuit brought against it by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of Mike Adams, a criminology professor at the school who also writes nationally syndicated columns. A federal court denied most of UNCW’s motion to dismiss on Monday, holding that Adams raised legitimate arguments regarding the possibility that the school refused to grant him full professorship status because of his religious beliefs and conservative political viewpoint.

ADF responds to latest ACLU attempt to silence public prayer

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:21:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed their response in federal court Friday to what is at least the sixth lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against the Tangipahoa Parish School Board regarding religious expression issues. The latest lawsuit is a direct challenge to the board’s practice of opening public meetings with prayer.

ADF to defend Md. voters’ right to be heard

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:22:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion Wednesday asking a Maryland court to allow voters to defend a petition being challenged by advocates of homosexual behavior even though the signatures have already been certified. A citizen voter coalition collected substantially more than the required number of signatures for the referendum petition, which gives voters their right to be heard on a county bill that extends special legal protections based on "gender identity."

Chesapeake officials: Keep your religion out of our public park

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:12:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of a Christian group barred from displaying a cross in a Chesapeake public park. City officials told members of Christian Rights Ministries that their 12-foot high, white cross must be removed from the park following a Fourth of July parade.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing in “Be Happy, Not Gay” case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:27:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available for media interviews following oral arguments Friday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in a lawsuit against the Indian Prairie School District. ADF attorneys are appealing a federal judge’s decision to prohibit Christian high school students from expressing their views on homosexual behavior.

ADF: Mo. court should not grant “annulment” between two women

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:52:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday on behalf of a state senator, contending a Missouri court cannot grant annulment to two women since their “marriage” is not recognized under state law. The brief further argues that because neither of the women intended to live in Massachusetts when they received their marriage license, their union cannot be recognized by either state.

ADF files lawsuit challenging speech restrictions at University of Maryland

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:05:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday challenging the University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s speech zone and speech code policies on behalf of a student pro-life group. The group claims school officials used the speech zone policy to deny it the same access to highly visited areas of campus that other student groups enjoy.

ACLU fails in lengthy attack on Baptist children’s home

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:02:00 GMT

After a 10-year legal battle, a federal judge has dismissed an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against a home providing social services for at-risk children. The lawsuit claimed the home, Sunrise Children’s Services, should not receive partial expense reimbursements from the government for its needy youth programs because of the home’s religious affiliation. The Alliance Defense Fund provided funding for attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Thomas More Law Center to defend the home in the suit.

U.S. DOJ: N.Y. churches entitled to equal treatment by schools

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:40:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief Tuesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in support of churches seeking to rent public buildings on the same terms and conditions as other community groups. The brief is the second one DOJ officials have filed in favor of the Bronx Household of Faith, a New York church which has been denied the right to rent space in a school building for more than 10 years.

Student-led “Day of Truth” to be held April 28

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Christian students at high schools nationwide will participate in the fourth annual “Day of Truth” on April 28. The “Day of Truth” is a student-led event designed to provide students an opportunity to counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda by peacefully expressing an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective.

Poway free speech case again before 9th Circuit

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed their opening brief Tuesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in a case involving the free speech rights of students. The lawsuit challenges policies within the Poway Unified School District that unconstitutionally restrict student speech.

ADF attorneys defend Wis. high school student facing religious discrimination

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:40:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the Tomah Area School District over an unconstitutional policy that bars religious free speech. Citing a policy prohibiting depictions of “blood, violence, sexual connotations, [or] religious beliefs,” officials penalized a Christian student for his artwork depicting a Bible verse and a cross but did not penalize students who included demonic illustrations in their artwork.

9th Circuit upholds constitutionality of Wash. Ten Commandments display

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Wednesday that a six-foot granite monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments in the city of Everett does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Alliance Defense Fund funded a friend-of-the-court brief filed by Steve Fitschen of the National Legal Foundation.

Calif. Court of Appeal agrees to reconsider homeschooling case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:30:00 GMT

The California Court of Appeal agreed Tuesday to a request by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to reconsider a Feb. 28 decision making most homeschooling a crime in the state.

ADF defends N.Y. town’s right to open meetings with prayer

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:25:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund representing the town of Greece have responded in federal court to a lawsuit over the town’s practice of allowing prayer at its council meetings. ADF attorneys filed an answer Wednesday to the complaint Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed in the lawsuit.

ADF attorneys file brief in defense of Wis. marriage laws

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:40:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Wednesday defending Wisconsin’s marriage laws. ADF is helping to defend against a lawsuit filed last year by a man seeking to end enforcement of the state’s marriage amendment.

ADF attorney to debate noted atheist Wednesday

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will participate in a debate Wednesday with Michael Newdow, the well-known atheist who has filed multiple lawsuits to remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. The debate will be held at 8 p.m. EDT on the campus of Columbia University.

Iowa says faith-based charities unworthy of employee donation program

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Christian Legal Society filed suit Wednesday against Iowa officials on behalf of the Association of Faith-Based Organizations. The suit challenges rules excluding religious charitable organizations from receiving voluntary donations from state employees as part of the Iowa One Gift campaign.

Judge grants permanent injunction to allow Bronx church to meet at public school on Sundays

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:30:00 GMT

A federal district court Thursday issued a permanent injunction ordering the New York City public schools to allow Bronx Household of Faith and other local churches to rent school buildings on the weekends for their worship services.

Court rejects California’s challenge to healthcare conscience rights

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:20:00 GMT

A federal court Tuesday rejected California’s challenge to the “Weldon Amendment.” The federal statute forbids state and local governments that receive federal funds from discriminating against healthcare providers that refuse to perform or refer patients for abortions. The court sided with three groups of pro-life medical professionals and others, including the federal government, in rejecting California’s challenge.

ADF attorneys file appeal in lawsuit involving pro-life Pittsburgh nurse

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have appealed a judge’s decision to allow a Pittsburgh ordinance prohibiting free speech around abortion clinics to continue to be enforced while a lawsuit challenging it moves forward in court. ADF attorneys represent a nurse prohibited from offering counsel to women in a public area near an abortion clinic.

ADF: Court should reconsider decision in Calif. homeschooling case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:36:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney filed a motion with the California Court of Appeal Friday, asking the court to reconsider its Feb. 28 decision making most homeschooling a crime in the state.

ADF files appeal after court finds Christians "guilty" of praying

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:45:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed an appeal Friday on behalf of four Christians arrested and convicted on charges of disorderly conduct for praying in a public park. Police arrested the four last year after they silently prayed during an event celebrating homosexual behavior while lying prostrate on the ground.

Wash. school district prohibits students from praying during non-instructional time

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:10:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against a Washington school district Wednesday after officials refused to honor the rights of Christian students wishing to assemble on campus during non-instructional time. The East Valley School District has denied the group access to school facilities at any time during the school day for prayer and religious discussions while at the same time allowing other students to meet for nonreligious purposes.

ADF files lawsuit to stop San Jose from recognizing same-sex "marriage" licenses as legal

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 May 2004 17:58:00 GMT

SAN JOSE, CA – The Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit today to stop the city of San Jose, California, from recognizing as legal the alleged same-sex "marriages" of its city employees. The policy to recognize such unions authorized in other jurisdictions was approved by the San Jose City Council on March 9, 2004.

Florida Lawsuit challenging Defense of Marriage acts "completely frivolous" says ADF legal expert

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 19:09:00 GMT

TAMPA, FL—One of the nation’s foremost legal experts on same-sex "marriage" says a lesbian couple’s lawsuit challenging Defense of Marriage acts on both the state and federal levels is "frivolous and without merit."

ADF attorneys vow appeal of Calif. marriage ruling

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Mar 2005 22:10:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will appeal today’s decision by California Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer to declare the state’s marriage laws unconstitutional. Kramer’s tentative ruling struck down the marriage laws and redefined marriage in California to include same-sex couples.

ADF attorneys available for comment Tuesday at California Supreme Court regarding Lewis v. Alfaro

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 May 2004 19:28:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be available to the media at the California Supreme Court Tuesday to comment on oral arguments in the case of Lewis v. Alfaro.

ADF Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull will be in San Francisco at the courthouse, as will ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence and ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy.

According to Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull, Lewis v. Alfaro, the original action filed by ADF in the California Supreme Court, is a critical case for the rule of law in California and the nation.

ADF attorneys to hold press conference on California Supreme Court decision in Lewis v. Alfaro

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 16:46:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO—Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be available to the media for comment on the California Supreme Court decision in the case of Lewis v. Alfaro. ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence, who argued before the California Supreme court in the case, will issue a statement and hold a press conference on the steps of the courthouse building at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

ADF attorneys available for comment following hearing in Smelt v. County of Orange

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:41:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be available to answer questions from the media at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building immediately following Thursday’s hearing in the Smelt v. County of Orange case.

Green light for Proposition 22 defenders

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 21:03:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO—A California Superior Court judge today ruled that the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund, represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, can pursue its case against the City and County of San Francisco. The decision means the group will be permitted to defend California’s marriage statutes, which recognize marriage between one man and one woman only.

ADF attorneys resolved to defend Proposition 22 seek intervention in federal lawsuit

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 21:42:00 GMT

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund today filed a motion to intervene in federal court to represent the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund in a defense of California’s marriage laws.

Orange crush

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:28:00 GMT

A federal district court judge ruled today that the Federal Defense of Marriage Act does not violate the U.S. Constitution, handing a victory to Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund, which intervened to defend marriage in the Golden State.

San Jose's recognition of same-sex "marriages" illegal, says court

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 23:54:00 GMT

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge today declared the city of San Jose's policy of recognizing the same-sex "marriages" of its employees illegal, ruling in favor of the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Values Advocacy Council.

California Supreme Court rules San Francisco mayor out of bounds; same-sex "marriage" licenses invalid

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:16:00 GMT

Today the California Supreme Court handed a huge victory to the millions of California voters who passed Proposition 22 and oppose same-sex "marriage.

ADF attorneys seek award of legal fees after win in San Francisco same-sex "marriage" license case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:39:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO—Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion for attorneys’ fees with the California Supreme Court today, seeking to recoup costs incurred in its successful lawsuit against the county clerk of San Francisco.

ADF attorneys will defend California’s marriage laws in federal court

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 03 Nov 2004 17:15:00 GMT

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A federal district court judge today granted Alliance Defense Fund attorneys the right to intervene on behalf of the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund in defense of California’s marriage laws.

ADF attorneys: Defining marriage as the California Constitution does cannot be unconstitutional

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 00:12:00 GMT

In a brief filed today in California Superior Court in San Francisco, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund argue that the state’s laws affirming marriage as the union of a man and a woman cannot be unconstitutional since the California Constitution reflects this same meaning of marriage.

Gavin Newsom celebrates breaking the law

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 23:29:00 GMT

Mayor Gavin Newsom continues to demonstrate his desire to pursue a personal agenda at the expense of the law.

"It’s astounding," said Alliance Defense Fund Chief Counsel Benjamin Bull. "He is out of touch with everyone but a small group of activists who have no problem with breaking the law to get what they want."

ADF condemns action of California Assembly to override the law as passed by the people

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 21:05:00 GMT

The California Assembly's decision to send AB 849, a bill changing state law to allow marriage between "two persons" instead of "a man and a woman," to the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a brazen attempt to illegitimately overturn the will of Californians as expressed in Proposition 22, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

ADF: Schwarzenegger right to veto illegitimate bill redefining marriage

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The governor of California was right to veto a bill today that would have illegally overturned Proposition 22, the state's voter-approved Defense of Marriage Act, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

ADF attorneys assist Montana pro-life pharmacist

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:52:00 GMT

The Montana Board of Pharmacy has dropped all complaints against a pharmacist who declined to dispense contraceptives and the so-called “morning after pill” because of his sincerely-held religious beliefs. An ADF-allied attorney represented the pharmacist before a screening panel of the Montana Board of Pharmacy Wednesday.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on free speech at Miami University

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available to answer questions from the media following his participation in oral arguments Tuesday before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Gilles v. Garland. Kellum is appealing a lower court decision that upheld a Miami University speech policy that prohibited a Christian man from exercising his First Amendment rights on university property.

ADF: Ca. court’s decision against homeschooling demonstrates hostility toward choice

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:51:00 GMT

A California Court of Appeal decision which ruled that parents have no legal right to homeschool their children demonstrates a hostility toward parental rights and choice in education, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The court ruled that parents without a teaching certificate who educate their children at home can be found guilty of a criminal act.

Charges dismissed against Christians who shared faith on N.J. boardwalk

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:25:00 GMT

A New Jersey judge dismissed criminal charges Wednesday against four Christians who chose to share their faith on the Atlantic City boardwalk. An Alliance Defense Fund-allied attorney representing the group argued that their constitutional rights were violated by the actions of local police.

ADF attorneys appeal domestic partnership case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:31:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed an appeal Friday of a state court decision that upheld the city of New Orleans’ establishment of a “domestic partnership” registry. The registry’s purpose is to provide taxpayer-funded benefits to the unmarried “partners” of city employees even though the Louisiana Constitution specifically forbids local governments from enacting ordinances “governing private or civil relationships.”

Ohio library: sorry, no ‘elements of a religious service’ allowed

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Citizens for Community Values Friday after an Ohio library denied the community organization use of a public meeting room. The Upper Arlington Public Library Board of Trustees said the proposed meetings violated library policy because they contained “inherent elements of a religious service.”

ADF attorneys file appeal to restore voters’ rights in Oregon

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have appealed a decision by a federal judge against disenfranchised petition signers who sought to put Oregon’s “domestic partnership” law before the voters. The case will now be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Free speech finally free in Cal State University system

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:33:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom have successfully reached a settlement with California State University system officials to eliminate problematic restrictions on student speech at all 23 of the system’s schools.

ADF attorney available to media following arguments in ASU pro-life club case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker will be available to answer questions from the media following oral arguments in federal court Tuesday in ASU Students for Life v. Crow, a lawsuit challenging unlawful restrictions on a pro-life student group at Arizona State University.

ADF attorneys available to media following arguments in California marriage cases

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:57:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys will be available to answer questions from the media Tuesday at the California Supreme Court following oral arguments in a group of significant marriage cases. At the hearing, ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy will defend California marriage laws that recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman only.

U. of S.C.: Money for club activities okay, unless you’re religious

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:20:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom and the Christian Legal Society filed suit in federal court Thursday against the University of South Carolina. The lawsuit challenges the university’s discriminatory policy of excluding religious student organizations from access to student activity fees available to other recognized student organizations.

Porn operators lose again

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:50:00 GMT

A Florida appellate court has upheld a ruling in favor of a homeowners’ association that claimed a group of men leasing a house in its neighborhood were violating its restrictions on running a business out of a home. The men installed 24 cameras in the house and charged customers to view their sex acts on a Web site, the ADF-supported lawsuit claims.

Homosexual porn Web site operators outed

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 19 Jul 2004 19:31:00 GMT

A Seminole County judge has ruled in favor of a homeowners’ association that claimed a group of men leasing a house in its neighborhood were violating its restrictions on running a business out of a home. The men installed 24 cameras in the house and charged customers to view their sex acts on a Web site.

ADF attorneys find more problems at Deer Valley School District

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:26:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have filed an amended complaint in federal court against the Deer Valley Unified School District and have also filed a motion to suspend unconstitutional policies within the district while the lawsuit moves forward.

ADF attorney available to media following trial of arrested Christians

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:33:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will be available for media interviews following Friday’s trial in People of the State of New York v. Raven. In 2007, four Christians were arrested for praying silently in a public park during a “Gay Pride” event.

Ga. town repeals ordinance requiring permit to distribute religious tracts

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:50:00 GMT

Distribution of religious literature on a public sidewalk is no longer a crime in the city of Cumming. A settlement agreement reached Wednesday between ADF attorneys and city officials reflects that a “parade ordinance” requiring a permit for such activities has been dropped. City officials used the ordinance last year to arrest and jail Fredric Baumann, a Christian.

ADF attorney to debate ACLU on same-sex “marriage” Monday

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:13:00 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. — Alliance Defense Fund Senior Vice-President of Strategic Training Jeffery Ventrella will participate in a panel debate Monday at the Florida A&M University College of Law on the topic of same-sex “marriage” and the Florida marriage amendment. The debate is co-sponsored by the Christian Legal Society and the Federalist Society.

Settlement allows religious expression for Okla. City government employees

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:37:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have secured a settlement with Oklahoma City officials that will allow city employees to exercise their constitutional right to religious expression at their workplace.

Trouble averted for church in paradise

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:15:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have reached settlement with the city and county of Honolulu to prevent enforcement of a citation that threatened to evict a church from its facilities and levy nearly $20,000 in fines.

ADF: Idaho A.G. correct on ‘domestic partner’ benefits policy

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:53:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say that an opinion released by the Idaho attorney general correctly finds that the city of Moscow’s domestic partnership resolution violates the state’s constitutional amendment affirming marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

ADF: Village wrong to deny church special use permit

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:55:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed suit Thursday on behalf of a church being prevented from meeting in its own recently purchased property. Village of Hazel Crest officials denied a special use permit to River of Life Kingdom Ministries, though the village does not require non-religious groups to obtain any such special permission to operate. ADF attorneys have asked the court for an immediate order reversing the actions of village officials.

ADF: American Counseling Association must honor freedom of conscience, religion

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:00:00 GMT

ADF attorneys sent a letter to the American Counseling Association Wednesday, asking the organization to reconsider a policy which stigmatizes counselors and clients who hold to biblically based religious beliefs regarding homosexual behavior. According to the ACA’s Ethics Committee, working with counselors or referring clients to counselors who respect such views may violate the organization’s “ethical rules.”

ADF: Court should not hear Pledge of Allegiance case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Friday defending the use of the words “under God” as part of the Pledge of Allegiance, after an atheist group filed a federal lawsuit challenging the long-standing patriotic tradition. ADF attorneys, along with Cornerstone Policy Research, are asking that the suit be dismissed because the group lacks standing to sue.

ADF attorneys available to media following hearing in Pa. free speech case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be available for media interviews immediately following oral arguments Monday in Startzell v. City of Philadelphia. Police arrested a group of Christians in 2004 after they walked down a public street quoting the Bible during Outfest, a celebration of homosexual behavior.

ADF President, other leaders send letter: Confirm judicial nominees now

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund President and General Counsel Alan Sears, formerly with the Reagan Administration, along with leaders from numerous other organizations delivered a letter Friday to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, urging it to act on President Bush’s judicial nominees.

Village officials slam door on man distributing Christian literature

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday to strike down a Kewaskum village ordinance that severely restricts the constitutional right to free speech and religious freedom.

ADF attorney to address N.M. veterans regarding defense of memorials

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Doug Napier will address the American Legion Department of New Mexico Mid-Winter Conference Saturday regarding the defense of veterans’ memorials in New Mexico and nationwide. In 2007, ADF, the American Legion, and Liberty Legal Institute announced a joint effort to protect American veterans’ memorials from legal attacks by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.

Court issues order in favor of Nebraska Christian harassed by police

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:25:00 GMT

A federal court issued a judgment Monday in favor of Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing a Christian whom city of Hastings police denied the right to publicly express and share his faith. The judgment, consented to by city officials, is significant for all people of religious faith who don’t want their religious speech singled out for exclusion in public.

Christian group prevails in settlement of “footwashing” case at Savannah State

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and National Legal Foundation have reached an agreement with Savannah State University that will allow a Christian student group to return to campus. The university suspended the group, Commissioned II Love, in April 2006 after university officials deemed the group’s act of sharing the Gospel as “harassment” and its practice of washing the feet of new members as “hazing.” The school later expelled the group from campus.

ADF files suit for pro-life group denied access to S.D. school facilities

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Monday against the Rapid City Area School District. ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of Citizens for Life after officials twice denied the Christian pro-life organization’s requests to use school facilities for an after-school meeting. School district policy allows other community groups to use the facilities for similar meetings but expressly forbids religious purposes. It also allows school officials to choose which political groups may use the facilities.

ADF attorneys appeal case of student censored over religious speech

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:56:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit asking the full court to review the case of a student who was censored for expressing a religious viewpoint as part of a school project.

ADF considering appeal to restore voters’ rights in Oregon

ADF Media Relations — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:30:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are considering whether to appeal Friday’s decision by a federal judge against disenfranchised signers of a petition to put Oregon’s “domestic partnership” law before the voters. The judge lifted his preliminary injunction against the law, H.B. 2007, on which voters have never been heard.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing on lawsuit over disenfranchised petition signers

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews immediately following a hearing Friday in Lemons v. Bradbury. The hearing will determine whether the preliminary injunction issued against Oregon’s “domestic partnership” law will be made permanent in light of a lawsuit filed by disenfranchised signers of a petition to put the law before the voters.

Penn State officials agree to allow brick with Scripture reference

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys representing a Pennsylvania State University alumnus have reached a settlement with university officials, clearing the way for a personalized brick bearing a Scripture reference to be installed on the school’s campus among bricks with other personal messages. ADF filed suit Dec. 12 on behalf of 2001 Penn State graduate James Pursley after officials refused to place his brick on the school’s Alumni Walk.

ADF attorneys file suit against Ariz. school district after discriminatory treatment of Christian club

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:24:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the Deer Valley Unified School District after school officials prevented a Christian student club from inviting students during morning announcements over the PA system to attend a non-instructional time prayer meeting. School officials prohibited the announcement, a privilege that all other clubs enjoy, because it contained the word “prayer.”

ADF attorneys: Judge erroneously dismissed expert testimony in Iowa marriage case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:24:00 GMT

Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the Iowa Supreme Court on behalf of five state legislators seeking to defend marriage. ADF attorneys are questioning a trial judge’s decision to reject the state’s expert testimony in the case last August.

Calif. school relents, allows student pro-life club same privileges as other clubs

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:21:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against Westmont High School officials after they agreed to allow a student pro-life club to have the same access to privileges that all other student groups on campus enjoy.

ADF: 2007 in review

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:18:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund and its allies have acknowledged 2007 as a year filled with key victories, groundbreaking legal precedents, and numerous milestones that uphold religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and traditional family values.

9th Circuit: denial of Ariz. ‘Choose Life’ license plates is a ‘violation of the First Amendment’

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:30:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled Monday that Arizona officials violated the First Amendment rights of an Arizona pro-life group when they denied the group’s application for a specialty license plate featuring the words “Choose Life.” Attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy represented the plaintiffs in the case, Arizona Life Coalition.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing in complaint against N.M. photographer

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:50:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence will be available for media interviews following a hearing before the New Mexico Human Rights Division Monday and Tuesday. ADF attorneys represent a Christian photographer being tried under state antidiscrimination laws for declining to photograph a same-sex “commitment ceremony.”

ADF attorney available for questions following hearing in 4th Circuit pro-life speech case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Nate Kellum will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing Tuesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Green v. City of Raleigh. Kellum is appealing a lower court decision which upheld a city ordinance that was used to silence peaceful pro-life advocates.

ADF will stand against threatened legal attacks upon Puerto Rican marriage amendment

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:27:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will defend Puerto Rico’s proposed marriage amendment, Resolution 99, in court if any legal attacks are filed against it. According to ADF attorneys, arguments associated with reported legal threats against the measure, which would legally define marriage in the U.S. territory as a union between one man and one woman, are merely scare tactics.

Victory for ADF and ‘Choose Life’ license plate, court rules Mo. Law unconstitutional

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:25:00 GMT

A federal court Wednesday ruled in favor of attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund defending “Choose Life” as a slogan on specialty license plates in Missouri. The court declared the state’s statute that outlines the approval process for specialty plates unconstitutional. ADF attorneys represent pro-life organization Choose Life of Missouri in the lawsuit.

ADF brief: Clerks gave no recourse to disenfranchised petition signers in Oregon

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:31:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are asking a federal judge to make his preliminary injunction against Oregon’s “domestic partnerships” bill permanent in a lawsuit filed on behalf of disenfranchised petition signers in Oregon. County clerks’ offices wrongfully rejected the signatures of a number of registered voters, causing the referendum on Oregon House Bill 2007, which would create “domestic partnerships” in the state, to fall short by only five signatures.

ADF attorneys file suit against law silencing pro-life advocates in the “Cradle of Liberty”

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:06:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court Friday against a new Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot “buffer” zone around abortion clinics. The law essentially eliminates free speech rights within the zone by restricting pro-life advocates from sharing their message with people entering the clinics.

ADF attorneys file lawsuit on behalf of Wichita pastor arrested for expressing his faith

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:22:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday on behalf of a Wichita pastor arrested for attempting to express his faith on a public sidewalk outside of an event celebrating homosexual behavior. Although Pastor Mark Holick was arrested, city officials have since dropped the trespassing charges against him after watching a videotape that showed Holick conducting himself in a peaceful manner.

Court grants ADF motion to stop UW-Madison from discriminating against student religious club

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:25:00 GMT

A federal judge Thursday ordered University of Wisconsin-Madison officials to stop discriminating against the UW Roman Catholic Foundation while its new lawsuit against the school moves forward. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys requested the injunction after UW-Madison officials violated the terms of a settlement agreement reached in a previous lawsuit ADF filed on behalf of the Catholic student group.

Rights finally vindicated for pastor arrested for religious speech in public

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:00:00 GMT

After nearly eight years of litigation, a federal court has ruled in favor of attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund against Ohio officials over the 1999 arrest of a pastor for his public expression of religion on the grounds of the state capitol. Pastor James Hood had preached and distributed religious literature on the grounds surrounding the statehouse for nearly 20 years without incident before officials arrested him in 1999.

Revised sign policy ensures protection of free speech rights for Maryland pro-life advocates

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:38:00 GMT

A group of pro-life advocates represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will no longer be threatened with fines for holding signs on a public sidewalk. As part of an agreement to resolve the lawsuit, Montgomery County, Md., officials have agreed to drop a written policy that banned holding signs and caused County officials to silence pro-life citizens.

Calif. school discriminates against student pro-life group, ADF files suit

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:27:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit and motion for preliminary injunction in federal court Monday against a local high school after it denied a student pro-life club the same access to privileges that all other student groups on campus enjoy.

ADF sends letter to Iowa pastors affirming their right to speak out on candidates and issues

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:55:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter to Iowa pastors Friday, equipping them with legal information on how they can speak out on candidates and issues during the 2008 elections and not jeopardize their churches’ tax-exempt status.

Right to free speech at transit station restored to Dallas man after ADF sends letter

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:44:00 GMT

A man told by police he must purchase a ticket before engaging in free speech at a Dallas area transit station will no longer face those restrictions. ADF attorneys representing Daniel Bailey reached an agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit authorities that will allow Bailey to continue his activities without having to purchase a ticket.

Revised sign policy in Arizona town fails to remove unconstitutional discrimination

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund amended their lawsuit against the town of Gilbert Wednesday on behalf of a church after the city amended its sign code in a way that did not fix any of the code’s constitutional flaws. After initially agreeing not to enforce the provisions of its code that discriminated against churches, the city amended its code Tuesday but retained the same discriminatory treatment.

ADF: Court says OK to discrimination by British Airways

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:51:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney will appeal a court ruling Tuesday that concluded British Airways did not engage in unlawful discrimination when it suspended an employee for refusing to hide a cross necklace while at work. ADF provided funding for employee Nadia Eweida’s case against the airline for discriminating against her but not employees of other religious faiths. Barrister Paul Diamond, an ADF-allied attorney, represented Eweida in court.

ADF attorneys appeal decision upholding censorship of high school students

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:41:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have appealed a federal judge’s decision in a lawsuit against Indian Prairie School District officials. The judge denied a request for a temporary injunction that would have allowed a student to wear a T-shirt to school with the message “Be Happy, Not Gay” while his lawsuit moves forward in court.

ADF: U.S. Coast Guard officers should not be forced to violate conscience in order to serve country

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of a U.S. Coast Guard officer told he must be injected with a vaccine derived from an aborted child, even though it conflicts with his Catholic beliefs. The U.S. Coast Guard refused to grant an exemption for Officer Joseph J. Healy, who is Catholic, even though it allows exemptions based on other religious beliefs.

ADF letter: Ariz. governor’s attempt to create ‘domestic partner’ benefits should be rejected

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:42:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has sent a letter to the Arizona Department of Administration recommending that the state reject Gov. Janet Napolitano’s attempt to require state agencies to offer taxpayer-funded benefits to the unmarried "domestic partners" of state employees. Napolitano is bypassing the legislature to try to create the benefits, which would be offered in the same way benefits are offered to the dependents of married employees.

Judge grants ADF request to put hold on Oregon ‘civil unions’ law

ADF Media Relations — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:58:00 GMT

A federal judge Friday granted the request of attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to prevent Oregon House Bill 2007 from going into effect Jan. 1 while a lawsuit filed by disenfranchised voters goes forward.

Miami-Dade County officials: Christian groups no longer required to acquire land for prayer meetings

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:40:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have agreed to drop a lawsuit on behalf of two groups of Christians originally told they must either purchase 2.5 acres of land, or stop meeting for prayer and Bible study. Miami-Dade County officials issued cease-and-desist orders to both of the groups until the requirement could be met, even if only two or three people were in attendance. But county officials are now fully supporting the rights of the groups under federal law, making the lawsuit unnecessary.

ADF attorney available to media after hearing on whether to put hold on Ore. ‘civil unions’ law

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:30:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews immediately following a hearing Friday on a motion to stay Oregon’s “civil unions” law. ADF attorneys are asking the court to prevent House Bill 2007 from going into effect Jan. 1 so that voters can be heard on the matter first.

American homeschooling family in Germany won’t be put out in the cold for Christmas

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:52:00 GMT

German officials have agreed not to deport an American missionary family for homeschooling their children while their legal battle funded in part by the Alliance Defense Fund moves forward. ADF-allied attorney Dr. Ronald Reichert has been working with the International Human Rights Group and the Home School Legal Defense Association to help the family.

Christian no longer barred from exercising his First Amendment rights at Murray State Univ.

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:56:00 GMT

Murray State University can no longer silence a Christian from expressing his faith. After officials at the school agreed to drop an unconstitutional speech policy, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys moved to dismiss their lawsuit against MSU. The court granted the motion Friday.

Christmas returns to the Santa Clara Valley

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:24:00 GMT

After receiving a letter from attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, the Santa Clara Valley Water District lifted restrictions that barred employees from displaying any religious symbols and decorations celebrating Christmas at their workplace.

Federal court in Illinois permits ADF to participate in “period of silence” case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:40:00 GMT

A federal judge in Illinois granted a motion filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Chicago law firm Mauck & Baker seeking to defend a “period of silence” law for students attending public schools. As a result of the judge’s order, ADF attorneys will participate in briefing and oral argument in the case.

ADF offers to defend Green Bay nativity scene

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:35:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Monday to Green Bay city officials, affirming the constitutionality of the city’s holiday display at City Hall and offering to defend it in court free of charge. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a secularist group, demanded that city officials remove a nativity scene from the display or face possible legal action.

Oklahoma City government employees told: “No Christmas this year”

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:44:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday to halt an unconstitutional ban by Oklahoma City officials on the right for city employees to publicly celebrate Christmas at their workplace.

ADF offers to defend schools attacked for allowing church to provide shoes to needy children

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:11:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund is offering legal defense, free of charge, for two South Carolina school districts should they be challenged in court for allowing volunteers with a church-sponsored program to deliver new shoes to needy children in their districts. Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent a letter to the school districts threatening legal action if they continue to allow the program.

ADF attorney available to the media following hearing in Pittsburgh case involving pro-life speech

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:43:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorney David Cortman will be available to answer questions from the media immediately following a hearing in a case involving the city of Pittsburgh’s restrictions on pro-life speech.

University of Mont. School of Law continues trend of silencing Christian groups at public universities

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:32:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit Friday in federal court challenging the University of Montana School of Law’s decision to derecognize a CLS student chapter because of its Christian beliefs. The decision is at odds with the position taken by the main campus student association, the Associated Students of the University of Montana, which has recognized the CLS chapter.

ADF attorneys offer to defend Ga. town against legal challenge to nativity scene

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:20:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys have offered to defend the town of Dallas free of charge on the heels of legal threats that demanded removal of a nativity display from a public street in the Georgia town. Americans United for Separation of Church and State sent a letter to city officials claiming that the presence of the nativity scene is “violating the Constitution.”

ADF sends info letter after secularist group launches attack against nativity scene in Wisconsin

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:13:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Thursday to officials in the Wisconsin town of Peshtigo, reassuring them that public displays of nativity scenes are constitutional. A national secularist group demanded that Peshtigo officials remove a nativity scene placed by the Chamber of Commerce as part of a holiday display on public property.

ADF: Christmas tree does not need to be renamed in Ariz. town

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:35:00 GMT

A reference to the name “Christmas tree” has been axed by misled officials in an Arizona town. ADF attorneys sent an informational letter to the town of Queen Creek stating that the use of the word “Christmas” does not violate the Constitution.

ADF attorneys ask court to stop UW-Madison officials from discriminating against student religious clubs

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:26:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a motion for preliminary injunction Monday against University of Wisconsin-Madison officials on behalf of the Roman Catholic Foundation, aiming to end a pattern of discrimination against religious clubs on campus. UW-Madison officials continue to violate the terms of a seven-month-old settlement agreement designed to give RCF the same rights as other campus groups.

N.Y. town silences religious speech on private property, issues citation for gospel message on trailer

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:33:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have agreed to assist a New York man cited by his town for displaying a gospel message on a trailer on his private business property. Town of Gouverneur officials have not issued citations against other types of speech, such as commercial messages, displayed on private property along area roads.

Marriage protected, Rhode Island Supreme Court says no to same-sex couple seeking a “divorce”

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:06:00 GMT

In a case involving two women seeking to “divorce” one another, the Supreme Court of Rhode Island ruled Friday that the term “marriage,” according to state law, means a union between one man and one woman. Therefore, the lower state court did not have the authority to consider a petition for a same-sex “divorce.”

City officials in Michigan change Dickens Christmas Festival to Dickens Holiday Festival

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:42:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Monday to city officials in Mount Pleasant explaining the constitutionality of using the word “Christmas” for its Dickens festival. City officials changed the name of its Dickens Christmas Festival to “Dickens Holiday Festival” in its advertising materials to be sent to a local school district after the school district enacted a policy banning the word “Christmas.”

ADF: Gideons have constitutional right to distribute Bibles in North Carolina school district

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:59:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have offered free legal representation to a North Carolina school district that, after being threatened by the ACLU, has barred Gideons International members from distributing Bibles on elementary school campuses. Hartnett County School District officials recently banned the practice, a long-standing tradition, after the ACLU claimed that it violated the Constitution.

Federal court issues ruling defending public religious speech

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:06:00 GMT

A federal court judge issued a preliminary ruling Friday affirming the free speech of a Christian man who was threatened with arrest for engaging in “annoying” speech while sharing a religious message outside of a bar in the city of Zachary. The Christian man, John Todd Netherland, is represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys in the case.

ADF attorneys file lawsuit over wrongfully rejected referendum signatures in Oregon

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:02:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court against the Oregon Secretary of State and several county clerks after those offices wrongfully invalidated voters’ signatures on a citizen referendum. If sustained, the referendum would place onto the November 2008 ballot an option for voters to repeal the state legislature’s domestic partnership bill.

ADF files brief in support of lay midwife facing charges for assisting Amish woman during childbirth

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:05:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday in support of a lay midwife who was prosecuted for assisting an Amish woman during childbirth. The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine interpreted a state statute so as to outlaw the practice of lay midwifery, a practice relied upon by many religious communities in the commonwealth, including the Amish.

Louisiana magnet school reverses course after denying Christian student use of school buses for field trip

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:01:00 GMT

After attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court, officials at a Baton Rouge magnet school reversed course and will now allow a Christian student the right to use school buses for a field trip for her Christian club. Though school officials had initially denied the Christian student club, they did allow the use of school transportation for field trips for other student groups on campus, including the D.A.R.E. club and the Arabic club.

ADF: Calif. law eliminates “gender” roles, creates safety hazard for women and children

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:18:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court to challenge the constitutionality of California Senate Bill 777. The new law redefines a student’s sex as his or her “gender identity,” relying upon a student’s feelings about whether the student is male or female rather than his or her biological sex.

The Battle for Marriage

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 GMT

The marriage battle continues to rage across the country, and ADF is in the thick of it. God’s grace and your prayerful support have inspired many victories, but new challenges constantly arise. We need your constant prayers and support.

Appeals court affirms intellectual diversity on public college campuses

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:20:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney secured a legal win Tuesday on behalf of two students at the State University of New York at Albany. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit agreed that the university treated the students unfairly by allocating mandatory student fees in a manner that effectively excluded conservative and Christian student groups on campus from receiving funding other groups receive. ADF provided funding for the case.

ADF letter: Constitution does not forbid leaving Bibles at Cumberland County schools

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:12:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Tuesday to the superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, advising him that the district did not need to prohibit outside groups from leaving Bibles at its elementary school campuses. The district put the prohibition in place after the American Civil Liberties Union apparently contacted the district and claimed that allowing such materials violates the U.S. Constitution.

Court says roadside crosses to fallen Utah troopers do not violate the Constitution

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:30:00 GMT

A federal judge ruled Tuesday in favor of the Utah Highway Patrol Association, represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and allied attorneys. The court rejected claims by an atheist group that roadside memorial crosses placed on behalf of families of highway patrol members who lost loved ones in the line of duty violate the U.S. Constitution.

Victory for Gideon threatened with arrest for distributing Bibles on public sidewalk

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:55:00 GMT

A federal judge in Florida cleared the way Wednesday for a member of Gideons International to resume distributing Bibles on a public sidewalk, without fear of arrest, until his case is resolved. The court granted a motion for preliminary injunction requested by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund who represent Thomas Gray and struck down as unconstitutional a state statute under which he was threatened with arrest. Based on this ruling, the state is now prohibited from enforcing the statute.

ADF attorneys prevail: Speech code in Cal State system on hold

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:13:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have succeeded in having problematic speech restrictions on students in Cal State system universities placed on hold while a lawsuit against those restrictions, or "speech codes," moves forward. The decision to suspend vague portions of the CSU policy affects all 23 schools in the system.

ADF attorney available for questions after hearing in American Atheists v. Duncan

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:27:00 GMT

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available for questions immediately after a federal court hearing in American Atheists v. Duncan Tuesday. ADF, along with local attorney Frank Mylar, represents the Utah Highway Patrol Association, which opposes a lawsuit brought by American Atheists that seeks to remove roadside memorial crosses placed by families of highway patrol members who lost loved ones in the line of duty.

Court stops enforcement of Wash. regulations targeting pharmacists, pharmacies who don’t stock abortion drugs

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:34:00 GMT

A federal court Thursday confirmed that the right of Washington pharmacists to obey their conscience when they object to dispensing abortion-inducing drugs on religious grounds will be protected while a lawsuit by two pharmacists and a pharmacy owner moves forward. The court halted newly passed regulations, which the pharmacy and pharmacists are challenging, until a decision is reached in the case. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and ADF-allied attorneys filed the lawsuit and motion for preliminary injunction in July.

7th Circuit reverses ruling prohibiting use of Jesus’ name in Indiana legislative prayers

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:27:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Tuesday reversed a ruling prohibiting invocations in the name of Jesus during the opening of Indiana legislative sessions. The Alliance Defense Fund and the Family Research Council filed a friend-of-the-court brief to the 7th Circuit.

ADF attorneys reach settlement with N.Y. school district affirming student’s constitutional right to express pro-life view

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:32:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have reached a settlement with South Jefferson Central School District officials who had censored a New York high school senior’s pro-life message during the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. The Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, sponsored by Stand True Ministries (www.standtrue.com), is a student-led event giving students an opportunity to educate their classmates about the dangers of abortion.

ADF, Wisconsin Family Council: Challenger to state marriage amendment has no grounds to sue

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:19:00 GMT

Attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund and Wisconsin Family Council filed a friend-of-the-court brief in defense of marriage Friday, arguing that a man who filed a lawsuit to halt enforcement of the state’s marriage amendment does not have grounds to sue.

Court says Indianapolis officials discriminated against churches under zoning code

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:45:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Tuesday reversed a district court ruling that denied an Indianapolis church’s request to use its rented building while its lawsuit against the city moves forward in court. The 7th Circuit ruling sends the case back to district court. City officials had threatened the church, saying that the church’s “religious use” of the property in a commercial district is not allowed.

Judge suspends ordinance used to jail Ga. man who distributed religious tracts on public sidewalk

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:50:00 GMT

A Christian man arrested and jailed for distributing religious tracts on a public sidewalk in the city of Cumming won his bid Friday to suspend the law used against him. ADF attorneys filed suit in August to challenge the constitutionality of the city’s “parade ordinance,” which police used to justify the arrest and jailing of Fredric Baumann.

ADF attorneys file suit to defend free speech at Mt. Rushmore

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:18:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit Friday on behalf of a Minnesota man denied his constitutional right to free speech at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota.

ADF attorneys send letter to VA offering constitutional analysis after flag-folding recitation faces legal threat

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:17:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Wednesday to the Department of Veterans Affairs offering constitutional analysis of the tradition of a flag-folding recitation banned by the National Cemetery Administration. An unnamed individual lodged a complaint over religious aspects of the ceremony. The ceremony honoring fallen American soldiers is traditionally held during funeral services where the folded flag is handed to the veteran’s family.

ADF attorney available to the media following hearing on Ga. man jailed for handing out religious literature

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:27:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing Wednesday in the case Baumann v. City of Cumming. The case involves a Christian man, Fredric Baumann, whom Cumming police arrested in April for handing out religious literature on a public sidewalk, using the city’s “parade ordinance” as justification for the arrest.

5th Circuit upholds parental rights victory for Texas teacher

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:51:00 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has again upheld a district court’s decision in favor of a Texas public school teacher.

6th Circuit rules in favor of Boyd County student, reinstates free speech case

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:05:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund have succeeded in their appeal of a federal judge’s decision against a Boyd County, Ky., student. A former school district policy prohibited the student from saying to other students that homosexual behavior is wrong. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit Friday reversed a ruling in favor of the school district and sent the case back to trial.

ADF attorney sends invocation policies to help Penn. Senate and Akron officials who want to pray

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:35:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has sent letters to the Pennsylvania Senate and city officials in Akron, Ohio, offering legal information to both on the constitutionality of opening public meetings with an invocation. In recent weeks, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has threatened both of those governmental bodies and countless others nationwide with legal action because the officials begin their meetings in the traditional manner.

ADF attorney available to the media following hearing on guardianship for Jesse Ramirez

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:44:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing in Ramirez-Oliva v. Ramirez Wednesday. The case involves Jesse Ramirez, a 36-year-old war veteran who was injured in a car accident May 30. ADF attorneys helped secure the restoration of food and water to the Gulf War veteran in June after filing a lawsuit on Ramirez’s behalf.

Va. school board: Student pro-life clubs no longer banned on high school campuses

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:15:00 GMT

A student barred from starting a student pro-life club on a high school campus will no longer be denied official recognition. In response to a lawsuit filed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, the School Board of Stafford County will permit student pro-life clubs at high schools in the district, and the clubs will receive the same rights, benefits, and privileges as other clubs.

ADF President commends White House for likely veto of Employment Non-Discrimination Act

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:49:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears is applauding Tuesday’s announcement by the Executive Office of the President advising President Bush to veto the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

ADF attorneys ready to offer legal help to students at Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity event

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:25:00 GMT

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 event offers pro-life students an opportunity to express their viewpoint on the subject of abortion.

Ohio judge issues ruling upholding community safeguards placed on sexually-oriented businesses

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:42:00 GMT

A federal judge has issued a ruling in favor of an Ohio statute defended by an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney that limits the negative effects of sexually-oriented businesses. Attorneys representing sexually-oriented businesses throughout Ohio attempted to prevent cities and counties around the state from enforcing the statue, but the court denied their motion for a temporary restraining order Thursday.

Room at the rotunda: ADF attorneys ensure nativity can be displayed in Wash. State Capitol building

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:23:00 GMT

A man barred from placing a nativity scene in the Washington State Capitol rotunda last year will no longer face opposition from state officials. ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit last year after state officials denied the request but allowed a menorah and a “holiday tree” to be displayed. The parties settled the suit, allowing Ron Wesselius to display a nativity scene on behalf of citizens who celebrate Christmas.

ADF attorneys file brief to defend school choice for Arizona families

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:53:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday with the Arizona Court of Appeals to defend the state’s corporate tax credit tuition program on behalf of School Choice Arizona, a non-profit student tuition organization. Earlier this year, an Arizona trial court dismissed a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and its allies seeking to declare the tax credit program unconstitutional.

ADF attorney available to the media following hearing on Arizona license plate case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Jeff Shafer will be available to answer questions from the media following oral arguments in Arizona Life Coalition v. Stanton Monday. ADF attorneys filed suit against the Arizona License Plate Commission in 2003 after officials denied a private organization’s “Choose Life” license plate design on the grounds that it is state-sponsored speech. The Alliance Defense Fund and the Center for Arizona Policy are jointly representing the Arizona Life Coalition.

ADF attorney available to the media following hearing on Arizona license plate case

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Vermont high school: Student-led Christian club not welcome on campus

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:28:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against a Vermont school district Tuesday after officials denied official recognition to a student-run Christian club. Middlebury Union High School officials currently recognize other student clubs focusing on non-curriculum-related issues.

Sign of the times: ADF attorneys defend freedom of speech on signs of censored pro-life advocates

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:38:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of peaceful pro-life advocates threatened with fines by Montgomery County officials for holding pro-life signs on a public sidewalk.

ADF attorneys file appeal to end discrimination against religious speech on Vermont license plates

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:30:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed an appeal Wednesday in a lawsuit involving a Vermont man denied the right to obtain a personalized license plate that refers to the Bible passage John 3:16. ADF attorneys are appealing a federal district court’s Sept. 28 ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

Same-sex “divorce” being used to push same-sex “marriage” in Oklahoma

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:33:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Monday defending Oklahoma law in the case O’Darling v. O’Darling, in which a same-sex couple is seeking a “divorce” even though marriage is legally defined in the state constitution as a union between one man and one woman. According to the brief, the court cannot dissolve a “marriage” that is not in fact a marriage in the state of Oklahoma.

ADF attorney available to the media for comment following hearing on R.I. same-sex “divorce”

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:06:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available to answer questions from the media Tuesday following a hearing at the Supreme Court of Rhode Island on a same-sex couple demanding to “divorce” in the state, where same-sex “marriage” is not recognized.

Swedish pastor beats "hate crime" conviction

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 13:00:00 GMT

In a unanimous 5-0 decision, Sweden's Supreme Court today acquitted a pastor of a "hate crime" for presenting the biblical view of homosexual behavior in a sermon.

Ohio House of Representatives reverses prayer policy, removes restraints that stifled speech

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:27:00 GMT

In the new guidelines made public Friday, the Ohio House of Representatives announced that it will reverse its policy that had censored legislative prayer by limiting it to only “non-denominational, non-sectarian, and non-proselytizing” invocations that were to be reviewed and approved by House leadership at least 72 hours in advance. In June, the Alliance Defense Fund equipped the Ohio House of Representatives with a model prayer policy and nine-page opinion letter outlining the constitutionality of legislative invocations, and a Sept. 10 memo by Speaker of the House Jon Husted, made public Friday, announced the reversal of the previous policy that stifled speech.

CLS & ADF: Calif. Christian school has the right to make decisions according to its own religious beliefs

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:00:00 GMT

Christian Legal Society Litigation Counsel Timothy J. Tracey will be available to answer questions from the media Friday following a hearing in a lawsuit concerning the constitutional rights of religious schools. Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion at the California Superior Court in Riverside Friday, asking the court to allow the Association of Faith-Based Organizations to intervene in support of California Lutheran High School. The parents of two students attending the school filed a lawsuit after school officials suspended the two girls for violating the school’s code of conduct by allegedly engaging in homosexual behavior.

Foreign Law Should be Deported

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Several years ago, those unhappy with America's religious history and heritage realized the Constitution was - as John Adams said - "...made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."

ADF issues joint letter on constitutional protections for pastors

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:36:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund issued a joint educational letter Monday with Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, and the James Madison Center for Free Speech to pastors across the country, equipping them with legal information on how they can speak out on moral issues during the 2008 elections and not jeopardize their churches’ tax-exempt status.

Brief representing thousands of ethnic churches filed in support of marriage in California marriage cases

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:25:00 GMT

The Western Center for Law & Policy filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday with the California Supreme Court on behalf of thousands of ethnic churches in the state in an effort to defend marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The Alliance Defense Fund is defending marriage on behalf of the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund in a set of significant consolidated marriage cases currently under review by the court.

ADF attorney: Federal appeals court rejects demand of “transsexuals” for special rights

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:11:00 GMT

A federal appeals court has issued a significant ruling saying that an employer’s concern over the use of restrooms by “transsexual” employees is legitimate, according to Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Brian Raum. Raum explained further that the court ruled that “transsexuals” do not qualify as a protected class under Title VII.

ADF-allied attorneys available to the media following hearing on Washington “right of conscience” case

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:08:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorneys Kristen Waggoner and Steve O'Ban will be available to answer questions from the media Wednesday following a court hearing on their motion for preliminary injunction filed against the Washington State Pharmacy Board. The lawsuit Stormans v. Selecky seeks to protect the rights of pharmacists and pharmacies which choose not to stock or distribute abortion-inducing drugs on religious or moral grounds.

Judge says Planned Parenthood unlikely to succeed in having Mo. abortion clinic law ruled unconstitutional

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:09:00 GMT

In an order issued Monday, a federal judge wrote that Planned Parenthood is not likely to succeed in having a Missouri law that holds abortion clinics to the same safety standards as other medical facilities ruled facially unconstitutional. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represent Missouri Director of Health and Senior Services Jane Drummond in a lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed against the new state law, which the court has put on hold while both sides negotiate on some specifics as to how the law will apply.

ADF offers to defend Wisconsin school district if anti-religious organization sues district over flier policy

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:01:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund has formally offered to defend the Madison School District against a possible legal attack by the Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation. An ADF attorney made the offer through a letter sent to the district Thursday.

ADF attorney available for comment following hearing in suit against law banning “annoying” speech

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:46:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will be available for comment to the media following a hearing Monday in a lawsuit involving a Christian man prohibited from sharing a religious message on a public street in the city of Zachary. ADF attorneys are asking the court to halt enforcement of a city ordinance prohibiting speech that is “annoying” or “offensive” to another person.

Federal judge OKs Ten Commandments display at Kentucky courtroom in ADF-funded case

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:31:00 GMT

A federal judge ruled Monday that displaying a copy of the Ten Commandments in a Rowan County courtroom does not violate the Constitution. The Alliance Defense Fund provided funding for the case in 2002.

Jesus painting will remain at Slidell courthouse

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:22:00 GMT

A federal judge Friday refused to grant a demand by the American Civil Liberties Union to have a painting of Jesus Christ removed from a display at the Slidell city courthouse. The judge said that the case, in which Alliance Defense Fund attorneys represented city, parish, and court officials, is essentially over.

Virginia school denies recognition to pro-life student club, ADF files suit

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:38:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Wednesday after a Virginia school denied official recognition to a student pro-life club but granted official recognition to student groups that focus on other issues.

Maryland Court of Appeals upholds marriage as union between one man and one woman

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:21:00 GMT

Maryland’s Court of Appeals Tuesday upheld marriage as a union between one man and one woman in the case Conaway v. Deane.

Statement from ADF President and CEO Alan Sears on nomination of Michael Mukasey

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:10:00 GMT

The new attorney general of the United States should continue the U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting the religious liberty of Americans, according to Alliance Defense Fund President, CEO, and General Counsel Alan Sears. Monday morning, President George W. Bush officially nominated New York district judge Michael Mukasey to replace U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

ADF asks Supreme Court to hear case on Christian organization excluded from helping troubled teens

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:43:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday asking it to hear a case involving a government agency that refused to place abused, neglected, and delinquent teenagers at a residential care facility because the facility was Christian-based.

ADF urges Mass. governor to reconsider veto of abstinence education funding

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:27:00 GMT

An attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter Thursday to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on behalf of concerned parents and citizens, urging him to reconsider his veto of federal grant money for abstinence education in middle schools. Patrick vetoed federal grant funding for abstinence education that the state legislature had appropriated, but he has until Friday to reconsider his veto.

Christian doctor fired after city officials learn of his membership with pro-family organization

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:52:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court on behalf of an Illinois clinical psychologist who lost his contract with the city of Minneapolis because of his membership with a politically conservative, pro-family organization.

ADF attorneys: Christians have the right to pray in public park without fear of arrest

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:19:00 GMT

Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion Friday to dismiss criminal charges filed against four Christians arrested for sharing their faith in a public park. Police arrested them after they chose to exercise their First Amendment rights during a so-called “Gay Pride” event in a New York public park.

ADF attorneys file suit to stop U. of Wis.-Madison from violating settlement agreement

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:34:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom filed a federal lawsuit Monday on behalf of the Roman Catholic Foundation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In May, the university had settled a previous lawsuit filed by ADF attorneys by agreeing to not discriminate against the foundation’s religious expression. The new lawsuit alleges that the school has subsequently violated the terms of that agreement by engaging in new acts of discrimination.

ADF attorneys ask full 9th Circuit to review case on Christian student group excluded by public school officials

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:15:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund submitted a petition to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Friday asking the full court to review the case Truth v. Kent School District. A three-judge panel ruled on Aug. 24 that public high school officials in Washington state may bar a Bible Club from campus because it requires members to desire to “grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ.” The panel noted that other student clubs may require members to share the clubs’ beliefs but held that Christian clubs are not allowed to do the same.

CLS & ADF: Calif. Christian school has the right to make its own religious admission decisions

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:21:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund filed a motion today asking a California court to allow the Association of Faith-Based Organizations to intervene in support of California Lutheran High School. The parents of two students are suing the school because it suspended the two girls when they violated the school’s code of conduct by allegedly engaging in homosexual behavior.

ADF-allied attorney files suit against Planned Parenthood in Nebraska

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:58:00 GMT

An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney served a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a Nebraska woman who allegedly suffered three seizures and nearly hemorrhaged to death on Aug. 17 at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Lincoln after undergoing an abortion. According to the complaint, physicians at a local hospital who performed an emergency hysterectomy on the woman hours later in order to save her life stated that they had never before seen such extensive wounds to a uterus and its surrounding tissues.

ADF attorney to testify before Wis. assembly on bill forcing hospitals to dispense abortion-inducing drugs

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:24:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Matt Bowman will be testifying before the Wisconsin State Assembly Judiciary and Ethics Committee Thursday on the constitutionality of proposed legislation that would require all hospitals in the state to dispense abortion-inducing drugs.

ADF president Alan Sears comments on the passing of ADF co-founder Dr. D. James Kennedy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:35:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund President and CEO Alan Sears, commenting on the passing of ADF co-founder Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, called the pastor a true servant and statesman.

Texas Supreme Court rejects state control of seminary decisions

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:06:00 GMT

The Texas Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion issued Friday, overturned a decision by the Texas Court of Appeals and affirmed the right of Tyndale Seminary to award degrees without prior state approval of the school’s board, faculty, and curriculum. ADF provided funding for its ally, Liberty Legal Institute, to represent the seminary before the court.

Portraits of other famous lawgivers added alongside Jesus painting at Slidell courthouse

ADF Media Relations — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:36:00 GMT

Officials with the Slidell City Court mounted 15 portraits of notable lawgivers in history along the walls of the Slidell courthouse Friday to accompany the painting of Jesus Christ that has been displayed there for more than a decade. In July, the ACLU filed a lawsuit claiming “mental anguish and emotional distress” over the Jesus portrait and asking a federal court to order it removed. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represent Slidell City Court Judge James “Jim” Lamz, the city of Slidell, and the parish of St. Tammany.

ADF attorneys again ask court to stop ban on “Be Happy, Not Gay” T-shirt at Illinois school

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:01:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are again asking a federal district court to stop Neuqua Valley High School officials from prohibiting a student from wearing a “Be Happy, Not Gay” T-shirt while a lawsuit against the school district moves forward in court.

Pennsylvania school: Books about “witches and Halloween” OK, Bible not OK

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:18:00 GMT

ADF attorneys filed a friend-of-the-court brief Wednesday in support of a parent barred from reading the Bible in her child’s classroom as part of a school assignment where parents were invited to read their child’s favorite book. The child, a kindergarten student, asked his mother to read from the Bible as part of a Social Studies assignment that had no content restrictions. On May 31, a federal district court sided with the school, and the case is now on appeal.

N.J. AG agrees to stay Ocean Grove’s time to respond to investigation

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:00:00 GMT

At a hearing Tuesday, the New Jersey attorney general agreed to extend the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association’s time to respond to an investigation until a federal judge decides on two motions in the association’s lawsuit against the state. ADF attorneys represent OGCMA, which has been under investigation for declining a request to allow a “civil union” ceremony on its private property.

Judge rules against Savannah State, Christian “footwashing” case to go forward in court

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:28:00 GMT

A federal judge said no Friday to Savannah State University’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a Christian student group. University officials booted the student group, Commissioned II Love, off campus after university officials deemed the group’s act of sharing the Gospel as “harassment” and the club’s practice of washing the feet of new members--as Jesus did with his disciples--as “hazing.”

Mo. governor’s administration retains ADF as legal counsel after Planned Parenthood sues over abortion clinic safety law

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:33:00 GMT

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt’s administration has retained attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund for legal representation after Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against a new state law that increases abortion clinic safety standards.

ADF president salutes Dr. D. James Kennedy upon his retirement from active ministry

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:26:00 GMT

Commenting on the retirement of Dr. D. James Kennedy as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Alliance Defense Fund President and CEO Alan Sears called Kennedy “a man of great moral courage and vision.”

ADF attorneys planning to appeal 9th Circuit ruling against Christian student group at public high school

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:45:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund are planning to appeal Friday’s ruling from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in Truth v. Kent Public School District. The court ruled that a public high school in Washington state did not violate the U.S. Constitution when it refused to recognize a Christian student club because the club required its members to adhere to a Christian code of conduct.

Tangipahoa Parish School Board votes unanimously to adopt ADF model prayer policy

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:54:00 GMT

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a model prayer policy drafted by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. The new policy sets forth constitutional guidelines for board members to reinstitute the longstanding tradition of opening meetings with an invocation.

ADF: One man is not a parade; Ga. town acted illegally in criminal case against resident

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:32:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a Christian man whom Cumming police arrested in April for passing out religious literature on a public sidewalk. On Aug. 1, a Georgia Superior Court judge granted ADF's request to dismiss all charges against the man, Fredric Baumann.

ADF in Calif. brief: Substantive rights of marriage do not apply to same-sex relationships

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:37:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund submitted a supplemental brief with the California Supreme Court Friday in a set of significant consolidated marriage cases before the court. The brief argues that a primary reason the court should not redefine marriage is that the constitutional rights and obligations extended by law to people who marry do not apply to same-sex relationships.

N.J. ministry sues to prevent state from forcing church to violate its religious beliefs

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:08:00 GMT

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church filed a federal lawsuit Saturday against New Jersey officials. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights has threatened to prosecute the Camp Meeting Association for adhering to its deeply held religious beliefs. State officials launched an investigation after the Christian organization refused to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony at one of its worship facilities.

Pro-liberty organizations file briefs supporting ADF client in Calif. library case at U.S. Supreme Court

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:22:00 GMT

Three major pro-liberty organizations filed friend-of-the-court briefs Wednesday with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a California ministry denied access to library meeting rooms that are open to other groups. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represent Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries and its leader, Hattie Hopkins.

ADF attorneys secure victory for church in lawsuit brought by American Atheists

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:35:00 GMT

A federal court Wednesday ruled against the American Atheists in its lawsuit against the city of Detroit. The atheist group sued because the city promised to reimburse a church for property improvements. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represented the church’s interests in the suit.

Court grants ADF request, dismisses charges against Ga. man for passing out religious literature

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:04:00 GMT

A Georgia Superior Court has dismissed all charges against Frederic Baumann, a Christian man whom Cumming police arrested in April for passing out religious literature on a public sidewalk. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund represent Baumann and had requested the court dismiss the charges.

ADF attorneys successfully affirm Christian employee’s right to free speech in gov’t workplace

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:09:00 GMT

The Defense Logistics Agency voluntarily dismissed its appeal Wednesday of a federal lawsuit involving the free speech of a government employee represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund. In March, ADF attorneys won a lower court decision affirming the employee’s right to express his religious point of view regarding a federal charitable contributions program on a workplace bulletin board.

CLS and ADF win equal treatment for Christian group distributing flyers to students

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 22:54:00 GMT

Arlington Public Schools agreed yesterday to permit Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) to distribute and post its flyers on the same terms and conditions as other Virginia community groups. Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund brought suit against school officials in May when they refused to distribute PFOX’s flyers even though they were distributing flyers for other community outreach groups.

ADF launches nationwide effort to protect public invocations

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:10:00 GMT

The Alliance Defense Fund is distributing informational letters to thousands of local governments beginning Wednesday as part of a new education campaign on the constitutional use of voluntary prayer at public meetings. ADF has also launched a new Web page dedicated to assisting elected officials and other concerned citizens with this emerging issue.

ADF: Same-sex couple cannot “divorce” in R.I., where same-sex “marriage” is not recognized

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:59:00 GMT

In a lawsuit involving two women seeking to “divorce” one another, attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Wednesday at the Supreme Court of Rhode Island arguing that a divorce can be granted only to married couples and not to couples in other relationship contracts.

ADF attorney to debate advocates of same-sex “marriage” at American Constitutional Society event

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 22:10:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Vice-President of Strategic Training Jeffery Ventrella will be participating Saturday as a panelist in a debate sponsored by the American Constitutional Society on same-sex "marriage" and civil unions.

ADF successfully defends religious freedom for Gideons

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:34:00 GMT

A judge dismissed all charges Friday against two members of The Gideons International who were arrested while attempting to distribute Bibles on a public sidewalk outside Key Largo School. Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman represented the two men.

ADF attorney to debate advocates of same-sex “marriage” at American Constitutional Society event

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:58:00 GMT

ADF: Health care providers should not be forced to distribute abortion-inducing drugs in Washington State

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:20:00 GMT

Seeking to safeguard the rights of pharmacists and pharmacies who choose not to stock or distribute abortion-inducing drugs on religious and moral grounds, ADF attorneys and allied attorneys filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court. They also asked the court on Thursday to halt enforcement of newly-passed regulations in the state while the case against the new rules moves forward.

5th Circuit rejects “offended observer” attack on public prayer

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:04:00 GMT

A full panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit issued a decision Wednesday that severely undercuts the American Civil Liberties Union and its “offended observer” claims in Establishment Clause cases. The decision comes after the court granted the request of Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and their co-counsel to review the appeal of a lawsuit in which the ACLU sued the Tangipahoa Parish School Board for opening its meetings with voluntary prayer.

Restrictive Jacksonville speech policy is no more

ADF Media Relations — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:18:00 GMT

A Jacksonville noise ordinance prohibiting amplified sound to what can be heard within a mere 10 feet will be scrapped as a result of a legal settlement between Alliance Defense Fund attorneys and city officials. ADF attorneys represented a Christian man who was prohibited from speaking on a public sidewalk as a result of the ordinance.

ADF attorney available to media following hearing on Christian students’ free speech rights in Boyd county

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:09:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing Wednesday in a lawsuit concerning the free speech rights of Christian students at Boyd County, Ky., public schools.

ADF-allied attorney available for comment following “Little Emilio” hearing

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:52:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney Joshua Carden will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing on the case of a toddler whose life was deemed “futile” by an “ethics” committee at the Children’s Hospital of Austin. The “ethics” committee voted to end the child’s lifesaving treatment, and without the treatment, the boy, named Emilio, will likely die in a matter of hours.

ADF comments on victory in Lake Elsinore case

ADF Media Relations — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:56:00 GMT

A settlement in the case of a Lake Elsinore church helps safeguard critical legal protections for churches in land use and zoning matters, according to attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Maryland public school officials silence religious organization, ADF attorneys respond

ADF Media Relations — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:59:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund sent a letter clarifying the law Monday to school board officials in Montgomery County because some district employees have engaged in viewpoint discrimination and censorship against a religious organization with whom they don’t agree.

ADF-allied attorney successfully defends pro-life advocates at Minnesota Supreme Court

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:39:00 GMT

The Minnesota Supreme Court Thursday reversed the convictions of two pro-life advocates who had been charged with creating a public nuisance and violating a city sign ordinance while engaging in pro-life speech. An ADF-allied attorney represented the two men.

ADF asks Georgia court to dismiss charges against Christian jailed for distributing religious tracts

ADF Media Relations — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:36:00 GMT

Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman will be available to answer questions from the media following a hearing Monday regarding the constitutionality of a local parade ordinance. The hearing will address ADF’s petition to dismiss the charges filed against a Christian arrested, jailed, and convicted for distributing religious tracts on a public sidewalk.

ADF, CLS attorneys file suit against University of Florida for excluding Christian fraternity

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:59:00 GMT

Attorneys with the Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in federal court Tuesday against University of Florida officials on behalf of a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX). University officials refuse to recognize BYX as a registered student group because the group limits its membership to Christian men, but the school does not apply a similar standard to other student organizations.

Cincinnati pro-life advocate represented by ADF-allied attorney gains victory on appeal

ADF Media Relations — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:32:00 GMT

Represented by an ADF-allied attorney, a pro-life advocate formerly charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct will continue his pursuit of justice. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit reversed a lower court’s ruling Friday, allowing a claim wrongfully dismissed by a trial court to be reinstated.