ADF: Richmond, VA Christians threatened with arrest for “sharing Gospel”

by D. Bennett

The Alliance Defense Fund reports that a lawsuit has been filed against the city of Richmond on behalf of five Chritsian men. The suit alleges that police officers threatened the men with arrest after they had been preaching and handing out tracts on public property in Richmond.

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ADF: Major SCOTUS ruling praised

by D. Bennett

The Alliance Defense Fund issued a press release praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizen’s United v. FEC, which will allow corporations to engage in political speech and advertising. The ADF cited the ruling as a victory for the First Amendment and for the “common folk.”

“Gone is the notion,” the ADF stated, “that just because citizens incorporate they lose First Amendment rights.

“Today’s decision is a step toward returning to the day when any citizen can stand and speak her mind—without a second thought about complying with some maze of opaque regulations—because she is an American.”

ADF: “Hartford officials agree to stop silencing constitutionally-protected speech”

by D. Bennett

The Alliance Defense Fund reports that its attorneys have reach a settlement with the city of Hartford, Conn., “that will ensure the protection of citizens’ free speech rights in public areas.”

The court case goes back to 2006, when a Christian man was arrested for “sharing his Christian message in public.” The city will now cease enforcing two statutes which ADF attorneys argued violated his free speech rights.

“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for their beliefs,” says ADF counsel Jon Scruggs. “The First Amendment protects all speech, including speech with which others may disagree.”

ACLJ: Christianity targeted in U.N. resolution

by D. Bennett

In an e-mail to subscribers, Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, warned that an Islamic group is pushing the United Nations to adopt a resolution that would “criminalize the proclamation of the gospel” of Christianity.

In addition to asking for donations to combat the efforts of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Sekulow warned against what passing the Defamation of Religions resolution would mean.

“This threat is so real, and so dangerous,” said Sekulow, “that I have already charged a team of ACLJ lawyers with leading the counter-offensive – to protect your freedom … and possibly your life.”

Sekulow posted more about the Defamation of Religions resolution here.

ADF: St. Louis to end “unconstitutional” policy

by D. Bennett

The Alliance Defense Fund reports that the city of St. Louis has agreed to stop enforcing a “problematic literature distribution policy,” thus avoiding a lawsuit filed by an ADF-associated attorney.

The city threatened members of a Christian group with arrest in 2006 as the group was handing out literature at the city’s annual “Pridefest” event.

“Christian groups shouldn’t be banned from public areas for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF-allied attorney Rick Nelson. “We are pleased that the city of St. Louis now recognizes the First Amendment rights of ministries who wish to share their viewpoint on important social and moral issues at events taking place at public locations.”

ADF: Banning pro-life shirt leads to lawsuit

by D. Bennett

The Alliance Defense Fund has filed suit against the West Shore (Penn.) School District in response to the district’s actions against a student wearing a t-shirt with the words, “Abortion is not Healthcare,” ADF reports.

School officials asked the student to remove the shirt, saying its message was “inappropriate” and could offend somebody.

“Pro-life students shouldn’t be censored for their views,” says David Cortman, ADF Senior Legal Counsel. “This student has been singled out even though his shirt caused no disruption and is clearly within the bounds of constitutionally guaranteed free speech.”

BreakPoint: Start a real peace prize

by Ruth Moon

Conservatives should start a Nobel Peace Prize alternative that focuses on peace instead of politics.

Pornography is dangerous, BreakPoint says, standing by a Maryland senator trying to impose restrictions on showing it in public.

Criminal law is screwed up when a six-year-old waving a set of camper’s utensils faces 45 days suspension from school.

BreakPoint points out the recent pieces in The New York Times on abortion.