Restaurant Settles EEOC Religious Discrimination Suit

The EEOC announced last week that a now-closed restaurant in Atlanta that was part of Landry's, a national restaurant group that continues to operate, has settled a Title VII religious discrimination lawsuit through a consent decree filed in a Georgia federal district court.  The EEOC said in part:

The EEOC alleged in its suit that Del Frisco’s violated federal law by failing to accommodate an employee’s religious practices and then discharging her. The employee, a server at the restaurant, had an existing religious accommodation of not working on Tuesdays so she could attend worship services. In 2019, when New Year’s Eve fell on a Tuesday, Del Frisco’s revoked her accommodation and tried to force her to work—alleging it was mandatory for servers to work the holiday. Despite saying it was a mandatory workday, Del Frisco’s gave other servers who did not need a religious accommodation the day off....

Under the consent decree resolving the lawsuit, Del Frisco’s will pay $25,000 in monetary damages to the former employee and train its management employees on religious discrimination at approximately 30 Del Frisco’s sister restaurants.

Recent Articles of Interest

From SSRN:

• Netta Barak Corren & Tamir Berkman, Constitutional Consequences, (New York University Law Review, Vol. 99, No. 3, 2024).
• Preston Green & Suzanne Eckes, All Aboard!: Making Charter School Boards All-Purpose State Actors Under the Supreme Court’s Amtrak Case, (Drake Law Review, Forthcoming).
• Neil Siegel, The Wages of Crying Roe: Some Realism About Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, (2 J. Am. Const. Hist. (forthcoming 2024)).
• Anne C. Dailey, In Loco Reipublicae, (Yale Law Journal, Forthcoming).
• Nancy A, McLaughlin, Laws Governing Restrictions on Charitable Gifts: The Consequences of Codification, (70 UCLA L. Rev. Disc. 2 (2023)).

From SmartCILP:

• Symposium, Religious Liberty at a Historic Crossroads: An Examination of the American Bedrock Principle and Its Unsettled Future, 54 Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, Issue 2 (2023).
• Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin, Restraint in the Classical Islamic Law, 29 Southwestern Journal of International Law 1-52 (2023).
• Mohamed Arafa, Rethinking the Tales of the Sharie'a: God Is Not a Juristic Person, but the Mosque Is, 29 Southwestern Journal of International Law 115-134 (2023).
• Shlomo C. Pill, The False Promise of Expanded Religious Liberty Rights after the COVID-19 Cases and Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, 31 William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal 825-884 (2023).

State May Regulate Health Care Sharing Ministries

In Gospel Light Mennonite Church Medical Aid Plan v. New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, (D NM, Oct. 13, 2023), a New Mexico federal district court refused to enjoin New Mexico's insurance superintendent from regulating Health Care Sharing Ministries. The court held that the state's Insurance Code is a neutral, generally applicable statute, saying in part:

Individual Plaintiffs argue that the Superintendent’s March 26, 2020, press release, --- which cautions consumers about HCSMs and stating that these plans are unauthorized insurance products—is not neutral because it “sends a signal of official disapproval” of Individual Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs.... The Court disagrees....

Applying rational basis review, the court said that it "has little difficulty concluding that state laws mandating compliance with the Insurance Code constitute a legitimate area of governmental concern."

Japan Seeks to Revoke Tax Exempt Status of Unification Church

AP reports that Japan's government today asked the Tokyo District Court to revoke the Unification  Church's status as a religious organization. Japan's branch of the Church is known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.  The step was taken after an Education Ministry investigation concluded that the Church for decades has manipulated its followers into donating money.  According to Japan's Education Minister, the church pushed its followers to purchase expensive goods and donate money beyond their financial ability, causing fear and harm to them and their families. If successful, the government action would remove the Church's tax exemption, but would not prevent it from operating in the country. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Court Gives Limited Relief to Native Americans Who Object to Park Improvements Project

 In Perez v. City of San Antonio, (WD TX, Oct. 11, 2023), a Texas federal district court held that members of the Native American Church should be given access for religious services to a point on the San Antonio River which is a Sacred Site for them.  Access is limited to 15 to 20 people for no more than an hour on astronomical dates that coincide with their spiritual beliefs.  The court deferred ruling on whether access for all-night peyote ceremonies will be allowed. The court refused to grant plaintiffs' request that the proposed improvements to the park in which the Sacred Site is located be limited so that the spiritual ecology of the Sacred Area would be preserved by minimizing tree removal and allowing cormorants to nest. The court said in part:

The most important part of Plaintiffs’ spiritual ecology is the confluence of the shape of the Mother Waters at the bend of the San Antonio River with the shape of the Eridanus constellation of stars.

Given the current extended drought, the lack of water flow from the Blue Hole Springs and other natural sources, there would be no San Antonio River/Mother Waters but for the City artificially assisting the river by pumping recycled waste water, presumably from the sewer reclamation system.... This creates something of a secular/religious symbiotic relationship between Plaintiffs and Defendant until it rains, the springs come to life and until the reformation and resurrection of the Project Area is complete. Amen.

... [T]he Court heard credible testimony of thousands of egrets, herons, and cormorants and their excrement nesting in the Project Area during their migrations at different times of the year. Once nested, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act precludes removal. The Court finds the bird deterrent operation is in the realm of public health and safety....

... [T]he Court finds the City has met its burden of proving a compelling government interest for public health and safety....

Moreover, Plaintiffs desire possibly to save trees by ordering the City to “reevaluate the Bond Project to develop alternative plans” would, given the lengthy redesign and re-permitting processes, exponentially extend Plaintiffs’ and the public’s presently fettered ability to enjoy the area. The temporary closing becomes semi-permanent. Instead of months, access would likely remain limited for years, as is the case of the faithful who find the Notre Dame Cathedral to be their sacred place and who for several years will have to use alternative places of worship. By its Order, it is the Court’s intent to make the fettered unfettered as soon as reasonably possible. It will be up to the parties to decide how long they wish to delay the unfettered with continuing litigation.

UPDATE: On Oct. 25, 2023, the Texas federal district court denied plaintiffs' emergency motion for an injunction pending appeal. 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 192796.

 

Ban on California's Publicly Funded Home School Program Covering Faith-Based Instruction Challenged

California's public charter school program includes schools that fund independent study home schooling. Parents may use state funds for secular educational materials, but not for religious materials.  A school staff member must approve materials purchased with state funds and must periodically review work samples to assure that state educational standards are met. California Constitution Art. IX, Sec. 8 prohibits the teaching of religious doctrine in public schools, and the California Education Code requires charter schools to be non-sectarian. Suit was filed this week in a California federal district court seeking an injunction that will allow parents to spend instructional funds for faith-based materials and will require schools to accept work samples that derive from a faith-based curriculum.  The complaint (full text) in Woolard v. Thurmond, (ED CA, filed 10/11/2023), alleges that applying state law to prevent disbursement of instructional funds for faith-based materials and refusal to accept faith-based work samples violates plaintiffs Free Exercise and Free Speech rights. First Liberty Institute issued a press release announcing the filling of the lawsuit.

Kansas AG Asks 10th Circuit To End Required Use of Preferred Pronouns

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in an Oct. 6 letter (full text) to the Chief Judge of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals asks the court to end the practice of some district and circuit court judges to require references to counsel, parties and witnesses by use of their preferred pronouns.  The letter says in part:

There are lawyers in my office who, for both religious and non-religious reasons, reject the idea of individuals dictating their own applicable pronouns....

The idea that a person can dictate his or her own pronouns based on internal feelings and then expect others to go along with that choice is a quite recent development....  But regardless of the merits of this idea as an abstract matter, enlisting the power of the state to force others to affirm such individual choices or feelings crosses a line and raises major questions regarding compelled speech and the First Amendment.

Many people have religious beliefs that would prevent them from using pronouns that do not correspond to a person’s sex. In Christianity (the most common religion in the United States), this position generally proceeds from interpretations of Genesis 1:27 and other scriptures that speak of a male/female dichotomy among persons. Other major world religions likewise have doctrines that point in the same direction.... To force these individuals to violate their religious beliefs in order to be heard in court is a restriction on their free exercise of religion....

Indeed, “gender identity” is the subject of growing wave of legislation and litigation. So requiring those appearing in court to use (or refrain from using) certain pronouns may reveal a prejudgment on issues in litigation.

The Attorney General's office also issued a press release summarizing the letter.

Crisis Pregnancy Center Sues Protesters Under FACE Act

 A civil suit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act was filed last week in a New York federal district court by CompassCare which operates an anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center in a Buffalo, NY suburb.  The complaint (full text) in Crisis Pregnancy Services, Inc. v. Kamke, (WD NY, filed 10/5/2023), alleges that defendant organized a counter-protest to CompassCare's Walk for Life at which protesters blocked a highway and assaulted walkers and police.  It alleges that subsequently, one of the defendants wrote graffiti on the organization's driveway, intending to deter staff, volunteers and patients from entering, and on another occasion stole a no-trespassing sign. Another defendant allegedly spray painted the word Liars over the center's entrance sign.  Finally it alleges that Jane Doe defendants were involved with a firebombing and graffiti. LifeNews reports on the lawsuit.

Cert. Filed In Abortion Sidewalk Counseling Dispute

 A petition for certiorari (full text) was filed yesterday with the U.S. Supreme Court in Reilly v. City of Harrisburg, (Sup. Ct., filed 10/10/2023).  In the case, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a suit brought by anti-abortion sidewalk counselors challenging Harrisburg's ordinance creating a 20-foot buffer zone designed to exclude protesters around health-care facilities, including abortion clinics. In its opinion, the 3rd Circuit agreed that the city did not have a policy or custom prohibiting one-on-one sidewalk counseling. Liberty Counsel issued a press release announcing the filing of the petition for review.

Indiana Man Indicted for Sending Death Threats to ADL Staff

The Department of Justice announced last week that a federal grand jury has indicted an Indiana man for making telephone death threats to offices of the Anti-Defamation League in New York, Houston, Denver and Las Vegas. The Indictment (full text) in United States v. Boryga, (SD IN, Oct. 3, 2023), charges defendant with four counts of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure. It charges that defendant chose the threat targets because of the actual and perceived religion of ADL employees and members. According to DOJ:

If convicted on all counts, Boryga faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Feds Settle Suit Brought by Native American Tribes Over Destruction of Sacred Site

 A settlement between several federal agencies and Native American tribes in Oregon was reached last week in a case challenging the government's destruction of a small sacred site near Mount Hood when it widened a highway.  (See prior related posting.) The 9th Circuit had dismissed the case as moot, and plaintiffs filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.  Last week the parties filed a Joint Stipulation to Dismiss (full text) in Slockish v. U.S. Department of Transportation, (Sup. Ct, Oct. 5, 2023). Under the settlement, the government is to construct a tree or plant barrier to protect the site, allow access to an existing quarry for ceremonial and cultural uses, and allow plaintiffs to rebuild a stone altar on the site. [Note that the filed stipulation appears to be erroneously dated "2022" instead of "2023". The Supreme Court docket for the case confirms that 2023 is the correct date.] Oregon Capital Chronicle  and AP report on the settlement.

1st Circuit Remands Covid Vaccine Religious Exemption Case

In Brox v. Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, (1st Cir., Oct. 6, 2023), the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed in part and vacated in part a trial court's refusal to require that plaintiffs be given a religious exemption from a state agency's Covid vaccine mandate. The court said in part:

[T]he appellants argue that the Policy, as administered, provides medical exemptions that permit unvaccinated employees to work "in close contact with colleagues, despite the purported direct threat . . . [their] unvaccinated status poses to them" but not religious exemptions that would permit unvaccinated employees to do the same even though their unvaccinated status poses no greater threat. And, according to the appellants, the Policy, as administered, is therefore not generally applicable -- and thus is subject to strict scrutiny -- because it "prohibits religious conduct while permitting secular conduct that undermines the government's asserted interests in a similar way"....

The appellees do argue that the Policy is generally applicable -- and so not subject to strict scrutiny -- for reasons having to do with the differing statutory liability that the Authority would face in denying requests for exemption that are medically rather than religiously based. The appellees assert in that regard that an employer may show that an accommodation for religious practice would constitute an "undue hardship" under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ... more easily than an employer may show that an accommodation for a disability would constitute an undue hardship under the Americans with Disabilities Act.... 

But even if we were to accept the appellees' contention about the greater leeway that an employer has under Title VII,.., the appellees do not develop any argument as to why we must conclude that, as a matter of law, the greater federal statutory liability that an employer faces for denying a medical exemption from a COVID-19 vaccine mandate than for denying a religious exemption from one suffices in and of itself to show that, for free exercise purposes, the former exemption may be granted and the latter exemption may be denied to employees who pose comparable risks of spreading the virus without thereby rendering the mandate not generally applicable and so subject to strict scrutiny....

We thus do not see how we may rely on this ground to affirm the District Court's "likelihood of success" ruling as to the appellants' free exercise claim....

Thus, we vacate the District Court's ruling with respect to its denial of the requested injunctive relief on the appellants' free exercise claim. We leave it to the parties and to the District Court on remand, therefore, to consider the appellants' request for that relief under the applicable legal framework that we have set forth....

Recent Articles of Interest

From SSRN:

• Lucy C. Finchett-Maddock & Andreas Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos, To Open Up: A performative rewriting of Pendragon v United Kingdom (1998) 27 EHRR CD 179 , (Helen Dancer, Bonnie Holligan and Helena Howe (eds.) Earth Law Judgments Project (Hart, 2024)).
• Samiul Hasan, Preventing Muslim Men from “Doing Injustice”: Ending Polygamy in Muslim Majority Countries, (September 29, 2023).
• Bariyima Kokpan, Examining the Challenges of Justice to Development and Peace: A Case Study of the Justice, Development, Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, (September 8, 2023).
• Beatrice Jessie Hill, History's Speech Acts, (108 Iowa Law Review 2215 (2023)).
• Mitchell N. Berman, Religious Liberty and the Constitution: Of Rules and Principles, Fixity and Change, (U of Penn Law School, Public Law Research Paper No. 23-36 (2023).
• Bejamin Perryman, Proving Discrimination: Evidentiary Barriers and Section 15(1) of the Charter, (Supreme Court Law Review (2d), Forthcoming).
• Oona A. Hathaway, Alaa Hachem & Justin Cole, A New Tool for Enforcing Human Rights: Erga Omnes Partes Standing, (Columbia Journal of Transnational Law, Vol. 61, No. 2, Forthcoming).

From SSRN (Abortion rights):

• Thomas Burrell, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization: Revisiting the Fourteenth Amendment, Due Process of Law, and American Citizenship, (Ohio Northern University Law Review, Vol. 49, No. 2, 2023).
• Carmel Shachar & Carleen Zubrzycki, Informational Privacy After Dobbs, (Alabama Law Review, Forthcoming).
• Hillary Schneller, Diana Kasdan, Risa Kaufman & Alex Wilson, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization: Reckoning with its Impact and Charting a Path Forward, (University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, Vol. 25, No. 5, 2023).

From SmartCILP and elsewhere:

• Berta Esperanza Hernandez-Truyol, Awakening the Law: Unmasking Free Exercise Exceptionalism, 72 Emory Law Journal 1061-1104 (2023).
• Karin Carmit Yefet & Ido Shahar, Divorced from Citizenship: Palestinian-Christian Women between the Church and the Jewish State, [Abstract], 48 Law & Social Inquiry 89-129 (2023).
• Steven H. Sholk, A Guide to Election Year Activities of Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Organizations, (Sept. 2023 edition).

California Governor Vetoes Bill Explicitly Barring Caste Discrimination

Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsome vetoed Senate Bill 403 (veto message). The bill would have explicitly outlawed discrimination on the basis of caste. The Governor's message said that caste discrimination is already prohibited by current law that bars discrimination, among other things, on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry and national origin. As reported by Reuters, opponents of the bill contend that it broadly paints the Hindu and South Asian communities as being discriminatory.

School District Settles Suit by Native Americans Over Cutting of Students' Hair

A consent decree (full text) was entered this week in Johnson v. Cody-Kilgore Unified School District, (D NE, Oct. 4, 2023). In the case, Native American parents (members of the Rosebud Sioux tribe) who practice traditional Lakota religious traditions sued over the school's cutting of their children's hair as part of a lice check and disposing of the hair in violation of Lakota tradition. (See prior posting.) Under the Consent Order, the School District will prohibit School Officials from cutting students' hair for any reason without the written parental (or guardian's) consent. It will also provide recognition of Native American Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Also the school district will pay damages totaling $227,500. Nebraska Examiner reports on the settlement agreement.

Episcopal Priest Sues County Commissioners Over Invocation Policy

Suit was filed this week in a Michigan federal district court by an Episcopal Priest in Grand Haven, Michigan, challenging the manner in which the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners currently selects individuals to deliver invocations at Board meetings. The complaint (full text) in Cramer v. Ottawa County, (WD MI, filed 10/2/2023), alleges that prior to 2023, different Commissioners on a rotating basis selected individuals to offer invocations. However, since January 2023 when Joe Moss became Chairperson of the Commission, only he selects persons to give invocations.  He has selected only male pastors of Christian churches who share his religious beliefs.  Some of the pastors have included in their invocations praise for a far-right political group that Moss founded and leads. Plaintiff is an advocate of LGBTQ rights, while Moss has promoted an anti-LGBTQ agenda. Grand Haven Tribune reports on the lawsuit.

Reservist Challenges Military's Admonition of Him for His Remarks at Retirement Ceremony

Suit was filed this week in a Texas federal district court by Jace Yarbrough, a Major in the Air Force Reserve, challenging a Letter of Admonition issued to him by the military for the content of remarks he made while speaking, in uniform, at a retirement ceremony for Senior Master Sergeant Duane Fish, an Air Force flight superintendent with whom he worked closely and with whom he shared religious beliefs and values.  The complaint (full text) in Yarbrough v. United States Space Force, (ED TX, filed 10/3/2023), asserts that Yarbrough's Christian faith is central to his worldview, conduct and speech. The complaint describes the remarks at issue as encouraging people to practice the courage and virtue exemplified by SMSgt Fist.  It goes on:

92. In keeping with that theme, [Yarbrough] expressed his personal concerns about the negative impact of politicization within the military.... He worried that “radical” factions in “our wider culture” have “brought the culture war inside the DoD,” and that politicization of the military would be “a death knell for courage and competence.” 

93. To support his views, he drew on the teachings and thought of Eastern Orthodox Christian and writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ... regarding the corrosive cultural consequences of dishonesty and self-deception.... 

94. Mr. Yarbrough gave two examples of objective realities he believes are known intuitively to all persons as persons: 1) “men can’t birth babies” and 2) “boys should not be allowed in girls’ locker rooms.” 

95. He expressed his faith-based belief that forcing people to deny such self-evident beliefs “requires constant . . . self-deception,” which can “habituate [us] to dishonesty” and cause us to lose our “grip on objective reality,” making us “less capable and less effective in our world.... 

96. As part of his warning against politicization, he referenced “recent DoD-wide extremism training” that he had attended, in which he “was relieved to see that [his] teammates recognized that training for what it was, a thinly veiled flex of political power.”...

The suit alleges that the Letter of Admonition, among other things, violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as well the Free Exercise, Free Speech and Establishment Clauses.

First Liberty Institute issued a press release, including a link to the full text of plaintiff's remarks at the retirement ceremony.

Group Urges Students To Bring A Bible To School Today

Today has been designated "Bring Your Bible to School Day" by the Christian organization, Focus on the Family. The event's website says in part:

Bring your Bible to whatever school looks like for you! Whether your school is public, private, or at home, you can participate!...

As Christians, we’re called to share the gospel with the world! Bring Your Bible to School Day provides you with an easy way to start that conversation with your friends and classmates.

It explains further:

You are allowed to invite your friends to join you to read the Bible and talk about it. But remember, you cannot make someone else read the Bible if they don’t want to....

You can offer Bibles to friends and classmates as long as you hand them out in a way that does not disturb class time. For example, you can share the Bible during lunch, at recess, before school, or after school.

According to the website, last year, 877,000 students from over 50,000 schools participated.

Potential Candidate Challenges Religious Oath On New Jersey Candidate Petition Forms

Suit was filed this week in a New Jersey federal district court challenging the New Jersey requirement that candidates filing to run for public office sign an oath that ends with the phrase "so help me God." The complaint (full text) in Tosone v. Way, (D NJ, filed 10/3/2023), alleges that plaintiff, who wishes to run for public office, is unable as a matter of conscience to sign an oath which is religious. Alleging that the current version of the oath violates Article VI of the Constitution, as well as the free speech, free exercise and Establishment Clauses, plaintiff seeks a court order requiring the Secretary of State to provide a form that allows him to run for public office without his swearing "so help me God." New Jersey Monitor reports on the case.

New South Asian Congressional Caucus Launched Amid Criticism from Some Civil Rights Groups

Last week, Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar announced formation of the 28-member "Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain US Congressional Caucus." According to India West Journal: "The group will address cultural misunderstandings, promote interfaith dialogue and harmony, and support initiatives to promote the well-being, education, and empowerment of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jains in the US." However, four Hindu, Sikh and Muslim civil rights groups issued a press release sharply criticizing formation of the caucus, saying it does not represent all parts of the South Asian community across faith, caste and ethnic lines.  The press release says in part:

"... In June of this year, Congressman Thanedar announced his intention to form a Hindu Caucus without input from the full spectrum of Hindu American civil society, including Dalit and linguistic community organizations. This caucus seems to be a new iteration of that previous announcement.”

“If this caucus is that announcement repackaged with a more inclusive label but the same makeup, it will likely combat meaningful oversight of the U.S.-India relationship, ongoing work to protect the civil rights and safety of Sikhs and other marginalized groups, and efforts to ban caste discrimination at a federal level. Moreover, given the lack of Muslim representation, it may oppose ongoing efforts to combat Islamophobia. In short, any caucus without inclusive representation from the Indian diaspora will serve as nothing more than a vehicle for Hindu nationalist policies that will inevitably harm the entire South Asian American community, including Sikh, Muslim, Dalit, Buddhist, Jain, and even Hindu Americans.