An Austin bus driver [and Christian pastor] who was fired for refusing to drive a passenger to Planned Parenthood is suing his employer for religious discrimination.
-- From "'Next stop: Planned Parenthood'... but not with this driver" by Kate Shellnutt, posted at The Houston Chronicle 7/20/10
According to the Austin American-Statesmen, the driver identifies as "an ordained Christian minister who is opposed to abortion," and he called his supervisor to say he couldn't in good conscience take someone to have an abortion at the clinic. The supervisor took that as his resignation.
Last week, Edwin Graning filed a suit against the Capital Area Rural Transportation System at a federal district court in Austin, seven months after his dismissal. He argues that the system violated the protections against employment discrimination based on religion in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bus driver says he was fired over Planned Parenthood dispute" by Dana Ford, CNN 7/21/10
Graning's last day of employment was the same day he refused service.
He is seeking reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress.
"It's only because he voiced his religions beliefs that he was canned," Edward White III, Graning's lawyer, told CNN. "Employers have a legal responsibility to at least attempt to accommodate an employee's religious beliefs. ... CARTS clearly violated Mr. Graning's religious freedom."
White, who works for [the American Center for Law and Justice,] a public interest law group founded by evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson, said CARTS sent a second driver to collect the client and took her and a friend to the Planned Parenthood office.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
