First Liberty



We have more good news to share! After yesterday's landmark win
for Faithful Carrier Gerald Groff, the U.S. Supreme Court just issued
a favorable order in our Sweet Cakes by Melissa case.

The Court vacated a lower court decision that forced Oregon bakers
Aaron and Melissa Klein out of business by penalizing them for
refusing to create a government-approved message that was in conflict
with their religious beliefs. The Oregon Bureau of Labor and
Industries originally imposed a devastating $135,000 damage award
against the Kleins for violating the state's public
accommodations statute after they declined to design and create a
wedding cake celebrating a same-sex wedding.

Today's Supreme Court order gives Aaron and Melissa another
opporrunity to fight their case in the state courts. This is
positive-but it also means this decade-long legal battle is far
from over.

The Supreme Court is sending the case back to the lower courts with
clear direction: they must rexamine the Kleins' case in light of
the recent ruling in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. In that decision, the
Court held that government may not force creative business owners to
speak messages that violate their beliefs.

"It's a win when the Supreme Court vacates a bad lower
court decision like it did for Aaron and Melissa today, but the case
is not over," said First Liberty President and CEO Kelly
Shackelford. "The Kleins have been fighting for the First
Amendment for over a decade and we will stand with them no matter how
long it takes to get the victory they deserve."

First Liberty Executive General Counsel Hiram Sasser explains in more
detail what today's order means and what's next. Watch
below:

WATCH NOW »
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Thank you for standing strong alongside Aaron, Melissa and First
Liberty. It's been a long and difficult legal battle for them
and their five children, to say the least, and we sincerely appreciate
your prayers, encouragement and support.

But the Klein's search for sweet justice is not over. We will
continue fighting for Aaron and Melissa-which means we need your
continued support. Litigating these cases demands tremendous
resources.

As we rapidly approach our fiscal year end today, Friday June 30th,
you can have an even greater impact with your donation. Give by
midnight tonight and you will increase the impact of your gift thanks
to our $350,000 Challenge Grant. Together, we can keep winning the
fight for religious freedom in 2023.

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First Liberty Institute