Christian Group's Suit Against Chicago Police Survives Dismissal Motion

In Marcavage v. City of Chicago, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 90443 (ND IL, Dec. 14, 2006), an Illinois federal district court refused to dismiss First Amendment free expression and equal protection claims brought by volunteers for Repent America, a Christian ministry, against the Chicago police department. Plaintiffs alleged that police limited their ability to pass out leaflets during Chicago's "Gay Games" last July by attempting to restrict them to "Free Speech Zones". The court also refused to dismiss plaintiffs' claims under the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act.