As we begin yet another year fighting for faith and freedom, here are the highlights for January:
* On January 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued its decision reversing a lower court’s dismissal of the federal civil rights lawsuit we filed on behalf of a former Tulsa, Oklahoma police officer against the City of Tulsa and its former chief of police who fired the officer based on complaints made by an anti-police activist about the officer’s social media posts.
The Tenth Circuit reversed the lower court’s dismissal of the officer’s First Amendment and state law claims for his unlawful firing.
In short, based on this victory, this important case will proceed to the merits, and we are confident that the officer will ultimately prevail.
You can read more about this case here.
* On January 13, we filed our reply brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in our lawsuit filed against the New York Attorney General Letitia James for her defamatory labelling of Red Rose Rescue as a “terrorist organization” and those who associate with the pro-life group as “terrorists.”
The district court judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding that when the chief law enforcement officer for the State of New York labeled the pro-lifers as “terrorists” she was simply engaging in hyperbole.
As we set forth in both our opening and reply briefs, the law is clearly established that falsely accusing someone of a heinous crime such as terrorism or belonging to a criminal organization is defamation pr se.
We also forcefully argued that this unlawful designation violated the pro-lifers’ right to expressive association by deterring others from joining or supporting the organization for fear of criminal repercussions for doing so.
* On January 18, we filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc, asking the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to reconsider the three-judge panel’s equal protection decision in our lawsuit filed on behalf of a Tulsa police officer who was fired for social media posts he made years prior to his hiring by the City police department.
As noted above, the appellate court correctly ruled in favor of our client, the officer, on his First Amendment and state law claims related to his unlawful firing. However, the court was wrong as a matter of law when it dismissed the officer’s equal protection claim.
Regardless of the outcome of this petition, this case will proceed to the merits!
* On January 23, following a remand from the Michigan Court of Appeals, we re-noticed the hearing on our “motion for summary disposition” and request for attorneys’ fees and cost, asking a Michigan circuit court to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by three Biden electors against sixteen Trump electors arising out of the 2020 election.
The hearing is scheduled for February 28th at 9 am in the circuit court in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Our motion plainly demonstrates that the civil claims brought against the Trump electors are “patently frivolous” and should be dismissed. No doubt, this civil lawsuit is all part of the “lawfare” that was waged against President Trump and his supporters. This “lawfare” must end and those who are pursuing it should be held accountable.
We are representing four of the Trump electors in this civil lawsuit filed in Kent County, Michigan.
All sixteen Trump electors are also facing a politically-charged felony criminal complaint filed against them by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
* On January 23, AFLC also celebrated its 13-year anniversary. Thanks in large measure to your tremendous support, we have emerged as one of the leading public interest law firms fighting for faith and freedom in America!
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. We couldn’t do what we do without them!