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Dear John,
More than a decade ago, Aaron and Melissa Klein declined to design and create a custom cake to celebrate a same-sex wedding.
They believed that creating a cake to celebrate a same-sex wedding conflicted with their faith. For the same reason, they wouldn’t create a cake laced with profanity, a cake celebrating a divorce or a cake advocating harm to others.
Since then, their lives have been in constant turmoil.
Take a Stand for Religious Freedom. Join the Fight for Faith.
Our $600,000 Matching Grant Doubles Your Impact.
The State of Oregon decided to bring the full force of the law down on Aaron and Melissa by fining them $135,000 and driving them out of business.
Since then, they’ve been hounded by a hostile media, have had their home broken into and vandalized and have received death threats against themselves and their 5 children
But that hasn’t stopped them from taking a brave stand for faith.
And thanks to your faithful support, First Liberty has fought with them every step of the way.
Now after 10 years, something interesting happened this summer: Aaron and Melissa’s case took a dramatic turn.
For the second time, the Supreme Court delivered victory for the Kleins by vacating the lower court’s ruling against them.
And for the second time, the Supreme Court sent their case back to Oregon for review.
When the Supreme Court justices issued their decision, they sent the State of Oregon a clear message. The Court told Oregon that government may not force creative business owners to speak messages that violate their beliefs.
While any time the Supreme Court vacates a ruling - like they did for Aaron and Melissa - is a win, it doesn’t mean the case is over.
Quite the contrary, this case is far from over.
The first time the Supreme Court sent the case back to Oregon for review, the state seemed to disregard the Court’s direction.
Now that we’re back in Oregon again, we’re making three things clear in our defense.
The first is that the State of Oregon needs to follow the Supreme Court’s direction and apply the Court’s precedent to the Klein’s case.
The second is that the Court’s precedent applies to all business owners from coast-to-coast who want to run their businesses according to their faith.
And the third is that First Liberty’s expert legal team will not stop fighting until Aaron and Melissa have been vindicated of all wrongdoing.
Put a Stop to Faith-Based Attacks. Stand with Aaron and Melissa.
It’s Time to be Strong and of Good Courage.
We won’t stand by when an out-of-control government tries to force anyone to say or do something that directly conflicts with their religious beliefs.
But we can’t fight and win against government attacks on faith without your help.
Right now, there’s no better way to stand for religious freedom than by supporting First Liberty financially.
Your support allows First Liberty to provide clients like Aaron and Melissa Klein with the best possible defense without ever sending them a bill.
No matter how long it takes. No matter how much it costs. They won’t ever pay a dime for our services.
And when you give before midnight on December 31st, you have an opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Every dollar you give will be matched thanks to our $600,000 Matching Grant.
Your gift will give us the means to continue fighting for not only Aaron and Melissa but on behalf of all business owners against these types of faith-based attacks.
Together, we can make sure they are free to live out their faith and run their businesses according to their beliefs.
Yes, I will make a gift today >>
Grateful for you,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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