Illinois Parents Sue Obama: Indecency in Schools

Attorneys representing 73 parents and 63 students in suburban Chicago filed a lawsuit this week against the Obama Administration and the largest high school district in Illinois for colluding to invade the privacy of students in the girls restrooms and locker rooms using new unlawful "transgender rights" edicts.

“It’s important to recognize that there’s a lagging legal framework in the face of rapidly changing social norms.  Our understanding of gender identity is changing, and the law hasn’t kept up.”
-- Francisco Negrón, National School Boards Association General Counsel

"No school should impose a policy like this against the will of so many parents.”
-- Vicki Wilson, Illinois parent and co-founder of Students and Parents for Privacy (lead plaintiff)

“Allowing boys into girls’ locker rooms, a setting where girls are often partially or fully unclothed, is a blatant violation of student privacy. The school district should rescind its privacy-violating policies, and the court should order the Department of Education to stop bullying school districts with falsehoods about what federal law requires.”
-- Jeremy Tedesco, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom

“To impose such a rule on still-developing teenage girls, as they’re already struggling with puberty’s changes on their bodies and social pressures to look a certain way, undermines their dignity and tells them that their rights don’t matter. This isn’t a message our schools should be sending to our girls.”
-- Jocelyn Floyd, Attorney, Thomas More Society

For background, read Department of Education Demands Communal Nudity in Illinois Public Schools Using Full Force of Federal Government but as of last week a Florida School Challenges President Obama's Transgender Bathroom Regulations

Also read Chicago Schools Force Co-ed Hotel Rooms for Trips

UPDATE 5/12/16: North Carolina Parents & Students Sue Obama's Transgender Agenda

UPDATE 9/9/16: Minnesota School Sued for Permitting Boy to Flash & Harass Girls in Locker Room

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

President Obama's OSHA Teams Up with EEOC to OK Perverts in Employees' Restrooms

Washington, D.C.'s Bathroom 'Bigot Snitch' Law

Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested for Sex with Students

Lesbian Seminar Teaching Kids How to be Homosexual

Transgenderism Taught to Kindergartners Across America







-- From "Illinois Families Sue Over Transgender Access to Locker Room" by Michael Tarm, Associated Press 5/4/16

Lawyers for Alliance Defending Freedom and Thomas More Society, two conservative groups, filed the 77-page suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago on behalf of 51 families with links to Palatine-based Township High School District 211. It names the district and the U.S. Department of Education as defendants.

The battle for access to girls' facilities at William Fremd High School by the transgender student — who was born male but identifies as female — helped spark a national debate last year that has since spread to other districts.

The [new transgender] policy, [the lawsuit] says, causes other girls fear and embarrassment. It adds: They are "afraid they will have to see a male in a state of undress," which, for some, is a "distraction throughout the school day." One girl's anxiety led her to wear gym clothes under her street clothes so she can peel just the outer clothes off in the locker.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Illinois group sues Obama administration over transgender students’ bathroom access" by Emma Brown, Washington Post 5/4/16

A group of Illinois students and parents sued the Obama administration Wednesday over its stance on transgender students’ access to school bathrooms and locker rooms, arguing that the U.S. Education Department is illegally forcing local authorities to let children use facilities that correspond to their gender identity.

The complaint alleges that the federal government has violated students’ fundamental right to privacy and parents’ constitutional right to instill moral standards and values in their children.

The lawsuit represents the first legal challenge to the Obama administration’s interpretation of Title IX, a federal anti-discrimination law, as providing transgender students with the right to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity instead of their biological sex.

Palatine officials — facing the loss of $6 million in federal funding — ultimately decided to allow a transgender student to change in the girls locker room instead of sending her down the hall to a separate facility.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Transgender Restroom Fight Spreads to Illinois" by Jack Bouboushian, Courthouse News Service 5/5/16

Students and Parents for Privacy and three female students sued the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary of Education John King, the Department of Justice, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Cook County, Ill., and the directors of Township High School District 211 in Illinois Federal Court on Wednesday.

"This is a civil rights action to stop the Department of Education and Township High School District 211 from continuing to trample students' privacy and other constitutional and statutory rights by forcing 14- to 17-year-old girls to use locker rooms and restrooms with biological males; and to set aside DOE's ultra vires legislative rule redefining 'sex' in Title IX to include gender identity," the 83-page complaint begins.

"This creates an intimidating and hostile environment for the girl members of Students and Parents for Privacy, some of whom are as young as 14, because Student A - who is biologically a male - actively uses their private facilities at the same times as plaintiffs," the complaint states. "As a direct result of defendants' policies and actions, every day these girls go to school, they experience embarrassment, humiliation, anxiety, fear, apprehension, stress, degradation, and loss of dignity because they will have to use the locker room and restroom with a biological male."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Lawsuit filed after transgender student gets locker room access in Palatine" by Duaa Eldeib and Dawn Rhodes, Chicago Tribune 5/5/16

The District 211 transgender student, who has not been identified publicly, initially filed a complaint with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights alleging that the district discriminated against [Student A] when it denied [him] access to the girls locker room. The district had previously allowed the student to use the girls restroom.

In an unprecedented decision, federal education authorities found that the district had violated Title IX. The district risked losing millions of federal dollars and a possible lawsuit by the federal government if it failed to reach a resolution. In a controversial decision, the district agreed in December to allow the student locker room access and installed privacy stalls. Proponents of the settlement heralded it as a civil rights victory.

The religious liberty group Thomas More Society also is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which seeks to keep the district from enforcing the locker room agreement and restroom policy and to bar the Department of Education from taking action against the district. The plaintiffs also argue in the suit that the locker room agreement prevents students from practicing the modesty that their faith requires of them.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "NW suburban families file lawsuit in transgender locker room case" by Maudlyne Ihejirika, Chicago Sun-Times 5/4/16

The lawsuit, Students and Parents for Privacy v. United States Department of Education, seeks an injunction against District 211. Headquartered in Palatine, it serves nearly 12,500 students from Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Schaumburg and parts of seven other northwest suburbs in five high schools and two alternative high schools.

It also asks the court to declare the policy and the district’s agreement with the Department of Education unconstitutional and illegal under both federal and Illinois law, and to have the court invalidate the department’s interpretation of Title IX’s sex discrimination provisions.

District 211 Supt. Dan Cates said Wednesday that the district affirms and supports the identity of all its students and will stand by the highly publicized agreement it reached last December with the department’s Office for Civil Rights. . . .

“We have implemented the agreement without any reports of incident or issue,” Cates said. “Our students have shown acceptance, support and respect of each other. Individual changing stalls in our locker rooms are readily available to every student and further accommodations that provide even greater privacy remain available upon request.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama plans new push for transgender rights in schools" by Caitlin Emma, Politico 5/6/16

The divisive and politically combustible issue of bathroom access for transgender individuals is about to become further inflamed, as the Obama administration is expected in coming weeks to aggressively reinforce its position that transgender student rights are fully protected under federal law, sources told POLITICO.

With the Justice Department already locking horns with North Carolina over the state’s so-called bathroom bill, the administration plans to reaffirm its view that robust protections for transgender students are within the existing scope of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. Multiple agencies are expected to be involved.

New guidance on Title IX represents a natural outgrowth of the administration’s aggressive agenda on gender equity and civil rights. In April 2014, guidance issued by the Education Department on sexual violence explicitly mentioned that transgender students are protected under Title IX. LGBT advocates saw it as an important moment for the transgender community, but have wanted the administration to go even further in clarifying the law.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Federal Government Survey Shows 'Sexual Orientation' is Learned Behavior, NOT Genetic

And read Gay Agenda Increases Suicides of Young Men: Study

In addition, read Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals

UPDATE 6/7/16: PBS Praises Transgender Activism of Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky (video)

Florida School vs. Obama Transgender Bathroom Regs

This week, the Marion County Public Schools of Ocala, Florida enacted a policy in a direct challenge to President Obama's Department of Education heavy-handed edict that schools nationwide must allow men to use girl's restrooms, locker rooms, and showers.

"My concern is that some pervert looking for the opportunity to dress up as a transgender and [prey on] innocent children and because of their perverted action scars [our] children for life."
-- Parent testimony to school board

"There is no legal mandate requiring the district to override the privacy rights of students and concerns of parents, by permitting gender-confused (or attention-seeking) students to inappropriately use restrooms and facilities reserved for the opposite sex.  No school district has ever lost federal funding for maintaining gender-appropriate facilities, despite the claims of activists."
-- Roger K. Gannam, Liberty Counsel (offered to represent school board)

For background, read Department of Education Demands Communal Nudity in Public Schools Using Full Force of Federal Government and now Hillary Clinton Promises Even MORE 'Transgender/Gay Rights'

UPDATE 5/7/16: Illinois Parents Sue School and President Obama over his Transgender Restroom Edict

Also read how enclosed restrooms will soon be eliminated to protect women and children from sexual predators.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

President Obama's OSHA Teams Up with EEOC to OK Perverts in Employees' Restrooms

Washington, D.C.'s Bathroom 'Bigot Snitch' Law

Virginia Bathroom Privacy Bill Defeated in Legislature

Women's Voices Silenced: Washington Transgender Restrooms

Transgender Restrooms Evolve for South Dakota Schools



-- From "Marion school board blocks transgender kids from choosing restroom" by The Associated Press 4/26/16

A north Florida school board has approved a measure to limit restrooms to students based on their birth sex, not their gender identity.

Board member Carol Ely says transgender students shouldn't get to choose which restroom to use, adding it's "reverse discrimination."

The district started allowing transgender students to choose their restroom two months ago. But a parent claimed his son's privacy rights were being violated because he's not comfortable sharing a restroom with a student who was born female but now identifies as male.

Roger Gannam, an attorney for the conservative legal group Liberty Counsel, is representing the parent of the student who complained. He argued that there is no legal mandate requiring the district to permit transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Marion County School Board rules students must use restroom of biological gender" by Erik Sandoval and Troy Campbell, Reporters, WKMG-TV6 (Orlando, FL) 4/27/16

The new rule takes effect immediately, and the decision brought cheers from the hundreds who gathered at Tuesday night's school board meeting.

The school board resolution says transgender students are not protected by law and that students expect not to see people of the opposite sex in the bathroom.

School board vice chairwoman, Kelly King, said that the alternative [private/uni-sex] bathrooms are a safe place for transgender students. King also said she too expects lawsuits if the board approves the restriction.

"We know either way, we are probably going to have some lawsuits. You know, lawsuits regardless," King said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "ACLU warns Marion County Schools of possible legal issues with bathroom policy" posted at WCJB-TV20 (Gainesville, FL) 4/26/16

In a work session last week, four of the five board members voted to restrict school bathrooms to students based on their birth sex, not based on their gender identity. School Board Chairman Bobby James was the only dissenter and said he wanted to continue to treat transgender issues on a case-by-case basis.

The letter, written by ACLU of Florida LGBT rights staff attorney Daniel Tilley, warns that the policy would not only be harmful to students but would also "violate Title IX sex discrimination requirements, violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution and jeopardize federal funding for the school district."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Bathroom ban imposed: School Board blocks transgender kids from choosing restrooms" by Joe Callahan, Staff writer, Ocala StarBanner 4/26/16

. . . Superintendent George Tomyn said the board should wait if they wanted this to be a rule, or policy, and that they were not following proper protocol. [Board member Nancy] Stacy said this was not a rule, but a resolution as a statement to the community. Stacy called for the vote and it passed 4-1.

The local issue began two months ago after the district started allowing transgender students to choose their bathroom, stating that the Office for Civil Rights has made it clear that transgender students have that right.

Two weeks ago, local veterinarian Hal Phillips appeared at a board work session and said his son's Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. Phillips said his son – who attends Vanguard High -- was not comfortable sharing a bathroom with a transgender student, who was born female but now identifies as being male.

The Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of all students, “including bodily privacy in the context of restrooms and locker rooms,” according to board attorney Steven Lake, who shared a PowerPoint about prior court cases at a recent work session.

[Attorney Roger] Gannam, wrote that “students with gender confusion who truly believes he or she is the opposite sex should be treated with care, compassion, and kindness, but must not be officially affirmed in his or her confusion, no matter how sincerely-held.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "A Florida school board just blocked transgender kids from choosing bathrooms" by Elahe Izadi, Washington Post 4/27/16

Conservative legal group Liberty Counsel represented the parent, Harrell “Hal” Phillips and his son, who the organization described as “devout Christians who believe strongly in both biblical modesty and constitutional privacy.”

Phillips’s son was “extremely upset” that a transgender student was using the boys’ bathroom, the group wrote. “This was a place where he has a reasonable expectation that he will not encounter the opposite sex. This deeply violated his religious beliefs of personal modesty and his constitutional rights to privacy.”

According to the measure, single-sex bathrooms and locker rooms designated for girls are restricted to people “who are biological females.” The same goes for facilities designated for boys and people “who are biological males.”

Students who want to use alternative facilities “shall always be offered comparable facilities, as required by law,” the measure states.

The measure also states that transgender individuals are “not a protected class” under the school district’s policies.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Transgender Students Now Have To Follow A New Bathroom Policy In Marion County" by Isabella Alsina, WUFT-TV5/WJUF-FM89.1 (PBS/NPR Gainesville, FL) 4/27/16

After 46 public comments, the board passed the resolution with a 4-1 vote. About 250 people cheered, sang Christian songs and waved banners that read, “God Belongs In My City.”

“The safety issue is the biggest,” said Carol Ely, the school board member for district 2. “Although nothing has happened yet, we’re going to see some things happening.”

Transgender students, former Marion County teachers, pastors, and concerned parents filled the meeting room, office, and parking lot of the school board’s building. Some wore Equality Florida stickers while most wore red stickers reading, “We Stand With God.”

“We cannot help that the Department of Education… is now working under an illegal, unadvertised rule,” said Nancy Stacy, school board member for District 1. “The Federal Department of Education doesn’t even have a right to constitutionally exist. I believe this rule is completely illegal.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read American Consumers Target Anti-family Business Favoring Transgenders

And read Transgenderism is a 'Delusion' According to Victims and Professionals

Pro-abortionists Went 0 for 2 in Court Yesterday

In two unrelated court cases, judges dealt blows yesterday to the abortion industry.  A federal judge in Detroit dismissed an attempt by the ACLU to force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions, and a judge in Illinois upheld the First Amendment rights of a pro-life organization to distribute fliers exposing the gruesome business of dumping babies in landfills.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

ACLU Sues Catholic Hospitals to Force Abortions

Babies Dumped in Landfills: South Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio

Aborted Babies Incinerated to Produce Waste Heat

Babies in Dumpsters Closes Michigan Abortion Clinics

South Carolina Abortion Licenses Suspended over Baby Disposal

-- From "Hospital with anti-abortion policy wins decision in lawsuit" by The Associated Press 4/11/16

Detroit federal Judge Gershwin Drain says the American Civil Liberties Union and its members have no standing to sue Trinity Health Corp. In a 13-page decision Monday, he said the ACLU failed to explain what medical conditions would place their members at risk or if they are currently at risk.

The judge says any harm is "speculative."

An attorney for Trinity, Kevin Theriot, says no one should be forced to perform abortions. The ACLU says it's considering its next step.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge throws out abortion lawsuit against Catholic hospital group" by Khalil AlHajal, mlive.com 4/11/16

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of its members last year, calling for an injunction against the anti-abortion policies of Trinity Health Corporation, a Livonia-based health care group with 90 hospitals that adhere to directives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

ACLU lawyers pointed specifically to one member who was denied abortion procedures at a Trinity hospital despite suffering "emergency complications during her pregnancy that required the termination of her pregnancy in order to stabilize her condition."

The lawsuit also argued that other pregnant members were "at risk of suffering similar harm should their pregnancies suffer complications in the future."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Health system wins suit over emergency abortion policy" posted at The Detroit News 4/11/16

In his ruling, [Judge] Drain said the ACLU did not provide enough specific proof of harm to its members to give the organization standing to sue.

“Therefore, even assuming that the complaint contains sufficient factual matter to establish past actual harm — considering the vagueness of the allegation, this is dubious — the allegations of past exposure to defendants’ illegal conduct is not sufficient to create standing,” he wrote.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Court Dismisses ACLU Lawsuit Attempting to Force Catholic Hospital to Do Abortions" by Steven Ertelt and Emily Derois, LifeNews 4/11/16

Alliance Defending Freedom [ADF] attorneys represent the Catholic Medical Association, the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, and the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which the court allowed on March 10 to intervene in the case in defense of Trinity Health Corporation. Trinity Health operates 86 facilities in 21 states.

“No American should be forced to commit an abortion—least of all faith-based medical workers who went into the profession to follow their faith and save lives, not take them,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot. “No law requires religious hospitals and medical personnel to commit abortions against their faith and conscience, and, in fact, federal law directly prohibits the government from engaging in any such coercion. As we argued in our brief to the court, the ACLU had no standing to bring this suit and demand this kind of government coercion.”

“Those who doubt that anyone would ever try to force someone to commit an abortion need only look at this case,” explained ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman. “This is precisely what the ACLU sought to do. The court came to the right conclusion in putting an end to their quest. The ruling relies on important case law that our pro-life medical group clients cited showing that the ACLU’s case was based on pure speculation.”

“Forcing health care workers to act contrary to the very faith and ethical convictions that led them into the medical profession—to serve, help, and bring healing to people—is counterproductive, unnecessary, and against the law,” Bowman continued.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge refuses to stop anti-abortion fliers targeting CEO" by The Associated Press 4/11/16

Lake County [Illinois] Associate Judge Margaret Marcouiller ruled Monday that the Ohio-based group Created Equal can keep distributing fliers that show pictures of an aborted fetus and a Lake Forest [Illinois] resident, and also include the executive's home address.

The fliers have been left with neighbors of Charles Alutto, who heads Stericycle, a medical waste company.

Created Equal says Stericycle "enables baby killing" by transporting medical waste from a Planned Parenthood facility in Ohio

Marcouiller said Monday that "even insulting and outrageous speech must be tolerated."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge refuses to stop anti-abortion fliers targeting Lake Forest CEO" by Susan Berger, Chicago Tribune 4/12/16

Created Equal Executive Director Mark Harrington called the court ruling a victory and said the campaign, which includes fliers, mobile billboards and postcards, will continue.

"If Stericycle wants to stop our awareness campaign, they simply need to cease transporting and disposing of aborted babies for Planned Parenthood," Harrington said.

Despite denying the emergency order, the judge said she will take up the issue again and gave the plaintiffs two weeks to update and resubmit their complaint.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Stericycle loses bid to stop campaign exposing it for transporting aborted babies’ remains" by Ben Johnson, LifeSiteNews 4/11/16

Stericycle's “regulated medical waste acceptance policy” states that the company does not accept “complete human remains (including heads, full torsos, and fetuses).”

Mark Harrington, the national director of Created Equal says the company is playing a game of semantics.

“However, babies are not 'complete' after being dismembered, decapitated, and disemboweled in standard abortion methods,” Harrington said. “Their broken parts and torn tissue are categorized by Stericycle as 'pathological waste,'” which the company willingly transports.

He wrote a letter to Alutto on February 10 with a sample flier that would be handed out in his community to raise awareness of Stericycle's actions. It included Alutto's home address and business phone number. If the company would stop providing services to abortionists, Harrington said, he would not go forward with the campaign.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Fed. Judge Strips Cross from LA County Citizens

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder sided with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California by ruling that the elected supervisors of Los Angeles County violated the U.S. Constitution by authorizing an accurate depiction of the San Gabriel Mission for the county seal — the historic mission has a cross on top.

"The court failed to see that the board corrected the inaccurate depiction of the San Gabriel Mission on the seal with an architecturally accurate version that featured a small cross - which of course the mission has.  As any California fourth-grade student knows, the San Gabriel Mission is an important icon to the region and the birthplace of Los Angeles County."
-- Michael Antonovich, County Supervisor

For background, read Cross Restored to LA County Seal Despite Atheists' Threats as well as Atheists Inundated by Jesus' Cross Symbols in California

Also read Atheists Strip Catholic Univ. with Cross from Ohio Town Identity

And read City Denies Cross, Mississippi Law Forbids Church's Plan

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Strip Memorial Crosses From Arkansas Football

Atheists Defeat Veterans Memorial in North Carolina

Atheists Want Marine Memorial Demolished at Pendleton

Atheists Want WWI Memorial Cross Demolished in Rhode Island

However, Federal Judge Favors D.C. Cross vs. Atheists, Muslims

-- From "Judge Strikes Down Effort To Restore Cross To LA County Seal" posted at CBS News Los Angeles 4/7/16

The ACLU alleged a Jan. 7, 2014, decision by the Board to restore the cross was unconstitutional because it “favors the Christian religion over all other religions and divides county residents by religion and by adherence or non-adherence to religious beliefs”, according to the complaint.

The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in 2014 in favor of a motion introduced by Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Don Knabe to add a cross to the top of the San Gabriel Mission on the county emblem, which is displayed on buildings, vehicles and official communications.

At the time, Antonovich and Knabe argued that restoring the cross is vital to the historical accuracy of the seal.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "LA County Must Keep Cross Off County Seal" by Bianca Bruno, Courthouse News Service 4/8/16

In her summary of the history of the case and the seal's controversy over the years, Snyder noted the back-and-forth that took place at several public meetings in 2004 after the ACLU threatened to file suit against the county.

The board voted 3-2 in favor of adopting the revised seal in 2004 [to remove the cross]. Changing the seal cost the county $700,000 to replace the image on county-owned and leased facilities and other property.

Antonovich and Supervisor Don Knabe proposed adding a cross to the 2004 redesign in 2009, when the Roman Catholic Church placed a cross on the Mission San Gabriel Arcangel 11 miles east of downtown LA. The two supervisors introduced a motion to add a cross to the depiction of the mission on the seal in December 2013.

In her order, Snyder found "that an 'informed and reasonable' observer who is 'familiar with the history of the government practice at issue' would perceive the county's addition of the cross to the 2004 seal to constitute approval or endorsement of a particular set of religious beliefs."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christian cross has no place on L.A. County seal, judge rules" by Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times 4/7/16

. . . When the seal was redesigned in 2004, there was no cross on top of the mission, as it had gone missing during earthquake retrofitting. The cross was later restored atop the building.

In a 55-page ruling released Thursday, U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder wrote that the addition of the cross ”carries with it an aura of prestige, authority, and approval. By singling out the cross for addition to the seal, the county necessarily lends its prestige and approval to a depiction of one faith’s sectarian imagery.

“The county also provides a platform for broadcasting that imagery on county buildings, vehicles, flags, and stationary.… Permitting such a change and the associated expenditure of public funds places the county’s power, prestige, and purse behind a single religion, Christianity, without making any such benefit available on an equal basis to those with secular objectives or alternative sectarian views."

But the two county supervisors who led the push to reinstate the cross criticized the judge’s decision, pointing out that other California municipalities – including Ventura and San Benito counties and the city of San Luis Obispo -- depict missions with crosses on their seal.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Cop Fired for Praying for Traffic Violator

14-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, Brian L. Hamilton, 40, of Connersville was fired yesterday for twice asking drivers about their faith during routine stops for traffic violations over the past two years.

“[Later, the ticketed driver] was approached by someone who attended church with Trooper Hamilton who informed her that Trooper Hamilton had placed her on a prayer list.”
-- Lawsuit against ex-Trooper Hamilton

“I was just following what the Lord told me to do and you can’t change what the Lord tells you to do. So if the Lord tells me to speak about Jesus Christ, I do. And that’s why they fired me so that’s where we’re at.”
-- Brian Hamilton

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

National Park Fires Pastor for Public Baptizing in California

Atlanta Fires Fire Chief for 'Anti-gay' Bible Study

NASA Bans Jesus, Threatening Employees' Freedom

California City Official Yanked: Caught Reading Bible

Praying Bus Driver Fired at Rutgers: Safety Issue

Michigan Dentist Sued for Playing Christian Music

Iowa Newspaper Editor, Fired for Being Christian, Sues

Internet CEO Forced to Resign for Being Christian

Oregon Woman Fired for Being Pro-life Leader

Media Help Homosexuals Shut Down Indiana Christian Pizza Restaurant





-- From "Senior State Trooper fired for preaching on duty" by Kayla Crandall, WPTA-TV21 (Fort Wayne, IN) 4/7/16

ISP officials said that Hamilton directly violated an August 2014 counseling statement where he was told in writing: "During the course of his official duties, S/Trp. Hamilton will not question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements.”

This allegation brought a lawsuit against the ISP, and it was brought to a close in April 2015.

The most recent allegation of Hamilton questioning a citizen’s religious affiliation, while engaged in enforcement actions, was reported in a citizen complaint on January 14, 2016.

He allegedly invited her to his church, and gave her the address, and then went on to ask her if she was saved.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] is preparing to sue Hamilton as an individual.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jesus-preaching trooper fired after proselytizing — yet again — during a traffic stop" by Sarah Larimer, Washington Post 4/8/16

Indiana State Police trooper Brian Hamilton pulled over Wendy Pyle in January, according to a lawsuit filed this week. He told Pyle that she had been speeding, went back to his patrol car and returned with a warning ticket.

Then, the lawsuit alleges, Hamilton asked Pyle where she attended church — and whether she had been “saved.”

As the state police indicated, this isn’t the first time Hamilton has been sued for on-the-job displays of faith. In 2014, another driver, Ellen Bogan, filed suit after Hamilton gave her a warning ticket during a traffic stop — and a pamphlet for a church.

The material from the First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, Ind., referred to a radio broadcast, called “Policing for Jesus Ministries,” among other items.

“The pamphlet also outlines ‘God’s Plan of Salvation’ that requires the reader to acknowledge that she is a sinner and to realize that ‘Salvation is a gift and is received by faith in Jesus Christ’ and that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins,'” the 2014 complaint stated. “Ms. Bogan said thank you to the Trooper and the Trooper said ‘God Bless You,’ and returned to his car.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jesus-preaching Indiana State Police trooper fired" by Jill Disis, Indianapolis Star 4/8/16

"While all of us — citizen and police officer — enjoy the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech, there are appropriate and proper restrictions placed on agents of the State related to their actions while engaged in their official duties," State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said in a statement. “While I respect Mr. Hamilton’s religious views I am also charged to respect every citizen’s rights, and the best way forward for the citizens of Indiana, and for Mr. Hamilton, was to end his employment as a State Police officer.”

State Police Capt. Dave Bursten said the department's internal investigation was separate from the lawsuit pending against Hamilton, adding that it "would have occurred regardless of any legal action initiated" by the ACLU.

Bogan’s lawsuit was eventually settled. According to court records, Hamilton was counseled not to question others regarding their religious beliefs, nor was he to provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements to them.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "If Gov. Pence, elected officials can be openly Christian, why not fired trooper?" by Jordan Fischer, WRTV-TV6 (Indianapolis, IN) Scripps Media, Inc. 4/8/16

State police said Hamilton was fired for insubordination and neglect of duty . . . But those same restrictions are not applied to the state's elected officials, many of whom, like Gov. Mike Pence, speak openly and often about their faith.

In January, during his State of the State address, Pence spoke at length about protecting the freedom of religious beliefs and invoked God's blessing on four separate occasions.

But displays of religiosity aren't limited just to the governor's office. Lawmakers in both chambers of the state legislature cited their religious beliefs as reasons for supporting Indiana's controversial new abortion law. And in March, Hoosier evangelist (and former RTV6 employee) Clayton Jennings was invited to deliver a prayer on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives . . .

While the debate over where to properly draw the line between the separation of church and state isn't limited to Indiana, who else should Hoosiers look to for guidance but their own elected officials?

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Florida Student Failed for Being Christian, Lawyer Says

And read Wisconsin Prof. Threatens Student for her Christianity

Illinois Fines Business $80K for Being Christian

Jim and Beth Walder, the owners of Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast near Paxton, Illinois, have been fined $80,000 by the state Human Rights Commission after being singled out in 2011 by homosexual men demanding their same-sex ceremony be officiated in the Walder's facility.  The Commission ordered the Walders to "cease and desist" from quoting the Bible to same-sex couples and welcome ceremonies of abomination in their facility in accordance with the Human Rights Act and pay the homosexuals $30,000 plus another $50,000 to the ACLU for legal fees.

"To be absolutely clear, we cannot host a same-sex wedding even though fines and penalties have been imposed by the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Our policy will not be changing. . . . We are not looking for a fight, but when immoral laws are purposely passed (or deemed constitutional) that blatantly conflict with God's Word and when the heavy hand of government tries to force us as Christians to embrace sinful behavior, we have a moral obligation to resist and stand for Biblical truth:  'It is better to obey God than men.' Acts 5:29."
-- Jim Walder

For background, read the history of homosexualists targeting Christians in Illinois in this manner.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'

Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'

Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel

New York Christian Farmers Guilty & Fined over 'Gay Wedding'

Homosexualist Oregon Persecutes Christian Judge

Lesbians Attack Ohio Christian Videographer over 'Gay Wedding'

Christian School Sued by Homosexuals in New Mexico

Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists

Also read Houston Lesbian Mayor Subpoenas Pastors' Sermons




-- From "Illinois inn fined for refusing to host gay civil union ceremony" by Reuters 3/29/16

[Michael R. Robinson, an] administrative law judge with the [Illinois] commission ordered TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast to pay $15,000 each to Todd and Mark Wathen for emotional distress.

TimberCreek, located about 100 miles south of Chicago, must also pay $50,000 in attorneys' fees and $1,218.35 in costs.

The Wathens had contacted TimberCreek in 2011 as they looked for possible locations for the ceremony.

TimberCreek owner Jim Walder had responded to the Wathens' inquiry with an email that said "homosexuality is immoral and unnatural," according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "B&B ordered to pay $80,000 over refusal to host civil-union ceremony in 2011" by Will Brumleve, Editor, Ford County Record, posted at Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette 3/29/16

In September, [Judge] Robinson ruled that Jim Walder violated the civil rights of the Wathens when he denied them the opportunity to hold their civil-union ceremony at the B&B he co-owns with his wife — the TimberCreek Bed-and-Breakfast west of Paxton.

The landmark ruling marked the first time that the Human Rights Commission made clear that businesses in Illinois must serve the entire public and cannot pick and choose based on their personal religious views.

Following a public hearing held last November in Springfield to consider damages to be awarded to the couple, ACLU attorneys for the Wathens filed briefs to support the couple's request for a "cease and desist" order and for Walder to pay damages for emotional distress, attorneys' fees and costs. Lawyers for the B&B failed to respond in a timely matter, leading to the judge's ruling.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "B&B ordered to pay damages to same-sex couple, stop discriminating" by Will Brumleve, Ford County Record 3/29/16

The Wathens said they never contacted another B&B [other than Walder's]. They ended up being wed in a small ceremony on June 4, 2011, in their back yard . . .

Walder said in an emailed statement Tuesday that his B&B will not host civil-union ceremonies or same-sex weddings, regardless of last week’s ruling.

“Evidently, religious freedom does not exist within the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act or the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

“In our opinion, neither the state of Illinois nor the U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to tamper with the definition of marriage. God alone created marriage and declared thousands of years ago that it was to be between a man and a woman. Not two men. Not two women. We may be out of step with an increasingly anti-Christian culture, but we are in compliance with God’s design, and that is what ultimately matters.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Further refusals could cost B&B owner more; he won't change stance" by Nicole Lafond, Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette 4/1/16

University of Illinois law Professor Robin Wilson, an expert on the intersection of religious freedom and same-sex marriage, said the penalties the state could impose upon TimberCreek Bed-and-Breakfast owner Jim Walder include placing a lien on his personal estate.

"Every time he refuses," Wilson said, "the state can fine him again."

If Walder opts to fight the state ruling, Wilson said, he must file an appeal within 14 days. Since it was made by a single judge, Walder could request a rehearing by either a three-person panel or the full commission within 30 days. If six of the 13 commissioners grant a rehearing, the original order is nullified, pending the results of the rehearing.

If that doesn't go well, Walder "can jump right back over to the appellate court," Wilson said. In either case, though, "he's got hanging around his neck factual findings that they are going to assume are true," she said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Discrimination Charge" posted at Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast

We politely disagree.  God is not confused.  His Word clearly illustrates and declares that marriage is between one man and one woman.  It also labels homosexuality as an abominable sin throughout the Old and New Testaments.  God's Word is the ultimate authority, infallible, and unchanging.  It is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His Word cannot be changed by a vote of the Illinois General Assembly when it passed the Civil Unions Act or the Gay Marriage Bill.  Marriage is only appropriate God's way.  Sexuality is only appropriate God's way.

Consequently, we cannot host civil unions or gay marriages at TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast.  It is not an issue of fairness or equality, but an issue of right and wrong.  We cannot be part of what God condemns.  Be assured that we are not lawless, hateful, judgmental, bigoted, or activists by any definition.  We did not initiate the present controversy.  We are not the ones who voted to change the 6,000 year-old definition of marriage.  We are just small business owners trying to be consistent in following God's Word and living it out practically in our lives.  And we are not alone. . . .

To read the entire statement above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists

Florida Defunds Planned Parenthood, Liberals Fume

Yesterday, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill (HB) 1411 to eliminate all state funding of any organization that performs abortions.  The new law that takes effect July 1st also bans sale of aborted fetus remains and enacts requirements for fetus disposal.  Planned Parenthood, which is spending about as much money fighting the legislation as it receives annually from the state, may contest the law in court as unconstitutional.

“Abortionists will finally be held to the same standard as all other physicians who perform invasive procedures in a non-hospital setting by the requirement to have admitting privileges or a transfer agreement with a nearby hospital.  It is incomprehensible that opponents suggest the bill makes women less safe.”
-- Ingrid Delgado, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Planned Parenthood Funding Cut Off in Utah & Texas

Oklahoma Gov. Terminates Payments to Planned Parenthood for Ripping off Taxpayers

Taxpayers' $Billions to Abortionists: Government Report

Also read 75% of Abortion Clinics Closed: Jan. 2015 vs. 1991

And read Planned Parenthood Illegally Dumps Babies in Landfills in Ohio, Kentucky and South Carolina

-- From "Florida Governor Signs Law to Cut Funding for Abortion Clinics" by Liam Stack, New York Times 3/25/16

State funding of abortion was already prohibited in Florida, but the law signed by the Republican governor also cut off funding for preventive services at clinics that also provide abortions.

The law appeared to be aimed at Planned Parenthood, which said on Friday that it could mean the end of birth control, cancer screenings, tests for diseases and other services for thousands of low-income women in Florida.

Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement that the new law seemed “designed to rip health care away from those most at risk.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gov. Rick Scott signs abortion restrictions, medical marijuana laws" by Michael Auslen, Miami Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau 3/25/16

Starting July 1, abortion clinics will be required to have admitting privileges or transfer agreements with a nearby hospital. They also will face annual inspections by the state as part of a law that sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said is about ensuring women’s safety.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which has an ongoing lawsuit over a mandatory 24-hour abortion waiting period passed last year, said it hasn’t decided whether it will sue the state over the new law. The organization did decry Scott’s decision in a statement by executive director Howard Simon.

The law redefines the trimesters of a pregnancy, validating claims by state regulators last summer alleging Florida’s Planned Parenthood sites violated their licenses. And the funding cuts could affect six Planned Parenthood clinics.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Florida governor signs law tightening abortion clinic restrictions" by Margie Menzel, Florida Times-Union 3/25/16

The bill, which passed largely along party lines, restricts state agencies, local governments and Medicaid managed-care plans from contracting with organizations that own, operate or are affiliated with clinics that perform elective abortions. Duval County is one of the health departments with a Planned Parenthood contract that may be affected by that provision.

Senate sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said on the Senate floor that the bill would likely close six of Florida’s 65 abortion clinics.

Additionally, the bill changes the definition of a first trimester to the period from fertilization through the end of the 11th week of pregnancy. That’s a different definition than the state has used in the past, but it’s consistent with an administrative action last year by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which alleged that five clinics — including three Planned Parenthood facilities — performed second-trimester abortions without the proper licenses. Clinics have filed challenges, contending that the state changed the definition of a first trimester without notice.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gov. Rick Scott Signs Abortion Bill Into Law" by Lynn Hatter, WFSU (PBS & NPR Tallahassee, FL) 3/25/16

“Would I like a bill that outlaws abortion? Sure. But that’s not what this bill does. Because that’s unconstitutional. Because we’re allowed to have a woman’s right to choose," Stargel argued prior to the bill passing the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Florida Family Policy Council is claiming a major victory. Last year the council’s John Stemberger criticized Governor Rick Scott for not banning state funding from flowing to Planned Parenthood after false accusations last summer that planned parenthood was illegally selling fetal remains caused a national uproar.

“We would have liked for him by executive order to de-fund Planned Parenthood without having to go through this process," Stemberger said. "But we are pleased he signed this today. He did the right thing, and so we’re happy about that. We wish he would have exercised leadership, but he followed the leadership of the legislature and the same result has occurred.”

Florida’s Planned Parenthood Clinics say they’ll weather the coming storm. Public dollars are already prohibited from funding abortions, but the bill would cut off reimbursements for routine preventive services as well if they are done by an abortion provider.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Gov. Rick Scott signs abortion restrictions bill into law" by Gray Rohrer, Orlando Sentinel 3/25/16

The law, which takes effect July 1, requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, requires annual licensure inspections for clinics and bans the purchase, sell or transfer of fetal remains. The law upgrades the failure to properly dispose of fetal tissue from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor.

A similar law in Texas, which women’s health activists say has helped shut down several abortion clinics there, is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. During a debate on the Senate floor earlier this year, sponsor Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said the bill would likely close six of Florida's 65 abortion clinics.

[Last year, Gov.] Scott’s investigation . . . did cite three clinics for performing abortions after the first trimester. Planned Parenthood disputed those allegations, and the case is still pending in court. A separate criminal investigation prompted by House Republicans turned up nothing.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Planned Parenthood Caught Selling Aborted Babies on Video

And read ObamaCare Funnels $1 Million to Planned Parenthood

Indiana Outlaws Killing Disabled, Abortionists Sue

Yesterday, Gov. Mike Pence signed House Enrolled Act 1337, which makes it illegal to perform abortions on babies based on fetal genetic abnormalities or the fetus's race, sex or ancestry, and mandates that otherwise aborted babies must be buried or cremated.  Planned Parenthood has announced it will seek a court injunction to continue its butchery status quo.

"I believe that a society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable — the aged, the infirm, the disabled and the unborn."
-- Gov. Mike Pence, Indiana

For background, read Arizona Bans Race- or Sex-Selection Abortion and hampers Abortion of Disabled

Also read Government Wants 'Defective Babies' to Harvest Organs

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Planned Parenthood Illegally Dumps Babies in Landfills in Ohio, Kentucky and South Carolina

Aborted Babies Incinerated to Produce Waste Heat

Abortions Outlawed at 20 Weeks in South Dakota

Abortionists, Satanists Team Up vs. Missouri Law

Abortionist Says: God Called Me to Kill Black Babies

Most Abortions are Black and Hispanic Babies

Also read Feminists Decry Super Bowl Ad for 'Humanizing Fetuses'

-- From "New Indiana law bans abortions based on fetal genetic abnormalities like Down syndrome" by The Associated Press 3/24/16

Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed the measure just hours ahead of his deadline to take action on the proposal approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature two weeks ago, the governor's office said. It is due to take effect in July, but Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said it will ask a court to block the measure before that can happen.

Pence called the bill "a comprehensive pro-life measure that affirms the value of all human life."

Pence was a prominent abortion rights opponent while serving in Congress before being elected governor in 2012 and received perfect scores from Indiana Right to Life for his record of opposing abortion.

Pence is also facing a tough re-election campaign in a rematch against Democrat John Gregg and will be counting on a strong turnout from his evangelical base in November. Gregg said Thursday he would have vetoed the measure.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Indiana Governor Signs Abortion Bill With Added Restrictions" by Mitch Smith, New York Times 3/24/16

The law, which passed both chambers of the Republican-controlled General Assembly with large majorities, builds on Indiana’s already restrictive abortion rules, and was cheered by anti-abortion groups that had encouraged Gov. Mike Pence to sign it.

In addition to holding doctors liable if a woman has an abortion solely because of objections to the fetus’s race, sex or a disability, like Down syndrome, the law restricts fetal tissue donation and requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital or to have an agreement with a doctor who does.

The measure drew a sharp rebuke from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and other abortion rights groups, and the law returned Indiana to the center of a national debate about social issues.

The law could also put some doctors who perform abortions in jeopardy if it is learned that a woman told them that she chose to end her pregnancy because of gender, disabilities or other reasons limited by the law.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pence signs new abortion restrictions into law with a prayer" by Chelsea Schneider and Tony Cook, Indianapolis Star 3/25/16

It's a divisive issue that's once again placed the state at the center of a national debate. And a legal challenge to the law, which takes effect in July, is already in the works. Less than half an hour after Pence signed the measure, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said it plans to request a preliminary injunction to block the new restrictions . . . [by] working with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in its plans to file a legal challenge.

“By enacting this legislation, we take an important step in protecting the unborn, while still providing an exception for the life of the mother. I sign this legislation with a prayer that God would continue to bless these precious children, mothers and families,” Pence said in a statement.

The controversial and potentially unconstitutional measure further restricts abortion in Indiana — already one of the most restrictive states in the nation. . . .

Social conservative groups, including Indiana Right to Life and the American Family Association of Indiana, had advocated for the new restrictions. Micah Clark, the leader of the family association, has said the measure “protects these special needs children from an intentional abortion based upon their genetics” in an email to supporters.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Indiana Bans Abortions Based On Gender, Race And Prenatal Diagnosis Of Disabilities" by Reuters 3/25/16

Republicans ushered the bill through the state legislature over the last three months despite opposition from some conservative lawmakers, including Representative Cindy Kirchhofer, who felt the measure was too restrictive.

North Dakota is the only U.S. state that prohibits abortions based on fetal anomalies. Seven states ban those based on gender, and Arizona prohibits those based on race, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that tracks abortion laws.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Indiana Becomes Second State to Ban Abortions Based on Down Syndrome" by Steven Ertelt, Micaiah Bilger, LifeNews.com 3/24/16

. . . The bill also has several other abortion-related measures, including a requirement that aborted or miscarried babies’ bodies be cremated or buried and another requirement that abortionists who have hospital admitting privileges renew them annually. The burial/cremation requirement backs up a law passed in 2015 by Gov. Pence requiring that aborted babies’ bodies be disposed of in a humane way.

Indiana state Sen. Liz Brown, who worked with [Sen. Travis] Holdman on the measure, said previously that many families face pressure to abort from doctors or other health care professionals when their babies are diagnosed with an illness or disability in the womb. LifeNews has documented numerous cases of families saying the same thing.

“What we hear from doctors is — it would really be better off if you were not born,” Brown said. “If you are born, we will love you, and we think you have equal rights and should be a member of society. In fact, we have the Americans with Disabilities Act and have to make accommodations. But we don’t want to make the accommodation before you’re born, and in fact, it would really be easier if you were not born.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pence signs new abortion restrictions into law" by Chelsea Schneider, Tony Cook and Shari Rudavsky, Indianapolis Star 3/24/16

. . . questions remain about whether the bill will have much of a practical impact on the decisions women make or on Indiana's abortion rate, which has declined 20 percent in the past five years and is below the national average.

. . . it's unclear how the law would play out in real life. The proposed ban on abortions would apply only when the sole reason for seeking the procedure is because the fetus may have a disability or is of a certain gender, race, color, national origin or ancestry.

Beth Cate, a public policy professor at Indiana University, questioned whether doctors would be left to infer a woman’s reasons for seeking an abortion based on her medical questions.

How do you know the reason a woman is seeking an abortion unless she explicitly states it — or does the doctor try to read her mind?

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read this Gallup poll: Americans Want Abortion Laws Changed

And read 'Free' Abortions Promised by Hillary Clinton for Planned Parenthood Endorsement

Atheists Complain of Prayer After Murder-Suicide

The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota complained that the state attorney general opened a press conference with prayer on Wednesday.

"Joining a community that has tragically lost an entire family in a moment of prayer is both appropriate and legal. The United States Supreme Court has clearly upheld and recognized the Guaranteed Constitutional Right to Freedom of Religion. As Attorney General, I have joined with other State Attorneys General in successfully allowing gatherings which include local government and other legislative functions to open a meeting with an appropriate prayer. I invite the ACLU to join with me and other State Attorneys General in both recognizing and protecting Civil Liberties and Constitutional Rights."
-- Marty Jackley, Attorney General, South Dakota

For background, read U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Allows Christian Prayer in Civic Meetings and also read 13 States vs. ACLU in Appeals Court over Civic Prayer

In addition, read Supreme Court Justice Scalia Said Government Should Favor God of the Bible



-- From "South Dakota AG Responds to ACLU Attack on Religious Freedom" by Newswire posted at American Clarion 3/17/16

On March 16, 2016, the South Dakota Attorney General held a community meeting inviting the press and the community in order to provide an update on the death and financial investigation into the Gear Up program.  Prior to beginning the meeting, a pastor opened with a general prayer.   The ACLU has characterized the prayer as a constitutional violation.  Despite positions taken by the ACLU, it is both appropriate and legally permissible.

In August of 2013, South Dakota Attorney Jackley joined 23 other states in a multi-state brief filed in the United States Supreme Court urging that the U.S. Constitution allows for prayer during governmental meetings and legislative session.

The Attorneys General advocated that “The American people deserve an Establishment Clause jurisprudence that is clear, workable, and faithful to the text and history of the First Amendment.” The Court further recognized that legislative prayer, while religious in nature, has long been understood as compatible with the Establishment Clause. This includes opening of governmental meetings where prayer is meant to lend gravity to the occasion and reflect values long part of the Nation’s heritage.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

California Mayor Calls City Prayer Vigil to Seek Solutions

Mississippi Police Chief Thanks God at City Prayer Meetings

Arizona Town Council Prays to Jesus, Rabbi Fumes

Texas School Supt. Tells Anti-prayer Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

Abortions Outlawed at 20 Weeks in South Dakota

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a bill this week criminalizing abortions at 20 weeks gestation.  The law includes an exception for the life of the mother in certain cases of emergency, but requires every effort be made to deliver the baby alive.  No exception is provided for cases of rape or incest.

"I think it'll save lives because it lets women know that their children really are humans just like us.  I think it's a great step forward for our state, and I would like to see us do more to protect the innocent."
-- Rep. Isaac Latterell (R) Tea, South Dakota

For background, read about court battles over late-term abortion restriction laws.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Late-term Abortion Ban Passes in West Virginia

Abortionists Stymied by New Oklahoma & Kansas Laws

Abortionists, Satanists Team Up vs. Missouri Law

Physicians Force New York Times to Admit 22-week Fetus is a Baby!

Also read this Gallup poll: Americans Want Abortion Laws Changed

-- From "South Dakota Governor Signs 20-Week Abortion Ban Into Law" by James Nord, Associated Press 3/10/16

The measure allows abortions later than 19 weeks if there is a medical emergency, but a claim or diagnosis that a woman intends to kill or harm herself aren't part of the exemption. The law says that when such an abortion is necessary because of an emergency, the doctor must "deliver the child in the manner which ... provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive," but only if that is consistent with preserving the woman's life and preventing an "irreversible" impairment of a major bodily function.

Performing an abortion that violates the new threshold is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. A woman who gets such an abortion would not be subject to that consequence.

Similar laws are in effect in 12 other states. Courts have blocked laws in Arizona, Idaho and Georgia.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "New 20-week limit on abortions sent to governor" by Bob Mercer, Rapid City Journal correspondent 3/10/16

State senators gave final approval Wednesday 26-7 to the legislation, Senate Bill 72 . . .

Sen. Jeff Monroe, R-Pierre, was prime sponsor. His lead sponsor in the House was Rep. Isaac Latterell, R-Tea.

The House of Representatives passed the bill Monday 59-7. The House made changes that Monroe described as necessary to correct minor mistakes in the Senate version. Monroe was the only senator to speak on the matter Wednesday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Daugaard approves 20-week abortion ban" by Dana Ferguson, Sioux Falls Argus Leader 3/10/16

Supporters say the measure aims to prevent excruciating pain fetuses experience during abortion procedures. While some doctors contend that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says evidence suggests that's not possible until the third trimester begins at 27 weeks.

Opponents including representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union and reproductive rights groups have said the measure is unconstitutional as it bans abortions before the point of viability. They also said the measure could create health problems for some pregnant women.

Thirteen states have approved similar bans, according to the reproductive health think-tank Guttmacher Institute, which depart from the 22-24 week standard of a fetus' viability outside the womb established by the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. At least two of those bans in Arizona and Idaho were enjoined due to court orders, voiding the policies.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "South Dakota Criminalizes Late Abortions" by Lacey Louwagie, Courthouse News Service 3/11/16

Some called the bill unnecessary. The only clinic that performs abortion in South Dakota is Planned Parenthood in Sioux Falls, which will not perform abortions after the 14th week of gestation.

The bill's author, state Sen. Jeff Monroe, R-Pierre, called that "baloney."

"I don't believe they are cutting it off at 14 weeks," he told Courthouse News.

The bill requires medical professionals to fill out a form answering 23 questions about any abortion performed in the state. Information sought includes the reason for the abortion, the mother's age and race, the gestational age of the fetus, and how the procedure was paid for.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "South Dakota Governor Signs Pro-Life Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions After 20 Weeks" by Micaiah Bilger, LifeNews.com 3/11/16

[Gov.] Daugaard spokeswoman Kelsey Pritchard told the Associated Press that the state’s attorney general “will be prepared to defend the constitutionality of the bill” if pro-abortion groups challenge it.

The bill is modeled after the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which has become law in 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Though abortion advocates deny the science of fetal pain, researchers have established that unborn babies can feel pain at 20 weeks or earlier. Dr. Steven Zielinski, an internal medicine physician from Oregon, is one of the leading researchers into it. He first published reports in the 1980s to validate research showing evidence for unborn pain.

He has testified before U.S. Congress that an unborn child could feel pain at “eight-and-a-half weeks and possibly earlier” and that a baby before birth “under the right circumstances, is capable of crying.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Kill Baby to Save Mother? No! Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker