5 min read: Barronelle deserves justice
Case Updates
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Will you rally around Barronelle during this critical time?
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Dear John,
In 2019, Barronelle Stutzman petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear her case. For a second time.
The 75 year-old grandmother and floral artist from Washington State has been waiting almost a year for a response.
She’s tired. But there’s a lot on the line.
If the Supreme Court declines to hear Barronelle’s case, allowing a Washington Supreme Court ruling against her to stand, she could lose her business and her life savings. And those who seek to eliminate your right to religious freedom here in America will have won a significant battle.
Barronelle won’t back down. But she needs your help, John.
If you feel strongly that America must remain a nation that protects and celebrates religious freedom, please take your stand today. Your tax-deductible gift will help fight the injustice against Barronelle and others like her!
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DONATE
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Targeted for following her conscience
Rob Ingersoll was one of Barronelle’s favorite customers. He had been coming to her business, Arlene’s Flowers, for nearly ten years.
One day, an employee told Barronelle that Rob had been at the shop looking for her. He wanted her to design floral arrangements celebrating his same-sex wedding. After some prayer and reflection, Barronelle decided that because of her Christian beliefs about marriage, she could not create custom art to celebrate that particular event.
While she gladly serves all people, Barronelle cannot express every message or celebrate every event through her floral art.
When Rob returned to the store, she took his hand in hers and explained how much she cares about him. Barronelle told him that she couldn’t create floral arrangements celebrating his wedding because of her religious beliefs. Then, she referred him to three other floral artists who she knew would do a good job. Rob said he understood, and the two hugged before he left.
This should have been the end of the story.
But Rob’s partner posted on social media about what happened. The post garnered so much attention that the Washington attorney general heard about it through news reports and decided to file a lawsuit against Barronelle. And then, the ACLU joined in. It also sued her.
Now, Barronelle is at risk of losing almost everything she and her husband have worked for their entire lives.
Can you imagine what that feels like, John? To have your own government come after you and try to make an example out of you because of what you believe?
This is Barronelle’s reality. And it’s all because she followed her conscience and stood for her faith. But she shouldn’t have to stand alone.
Please stand with Barronelle—and people of faith like her—with your tax-deductible gift today!
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A case of government hostility
From the beginning, the State of Washington has been relentless.
The state attorney general sued Barronelle in both her professional and personal capacities even though no formal complaint had been filed against her. But when another business in Washington—a coffee shop in Seattle—obscenely berated and discriminated against Christian customers, the state attorney general did nothing!
The Washington state courts have had several opportunities to protect Barronelle’s constitutional freedom to live and work consistently with her faith.
But they failed to do so each time.
The Washington Supreme Court even had a second chance to give Barronelle justice after the U.S. Supreme Court sent her case back for reconsideration in light of its decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled 7 to 2 in favor of Colorado cake artist Jack Phillips, making it clear that the government cannot treat people of faith with hostility.
Similar hostility is present in Barronelle’s case. Still, the Washington Supreme Court failed to acknowledge this.
It ruled against her a second time.
John, the government has had several opportunities to make this right. But it keeps ruling the wrong way.
Now, Barronelle has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider her case once again.
We can’t let the Washington Supreme Court be the final word. Barronelle deserves justice.
Will you help provide a winning legal defense for people like Barronelle with your gift today?
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You can make a difference – rise to the challenge today!
The State of Washington is using Barronelle to send a message to us all: Ignore your beliefs or face the consequences.
But as you know, your faith must be lived out. And your beliefs affect everything you do.
It’s no different for Barronelle. Though she loves Rob and would be happy to serve him for another decade, she cannot express a message or participate in an event that violates her faith. And she shouldn’t have to choose between her faith and her livelihood—none of us should.
Your God-given right to live out your faith according to your conscience is protected by the First Amendment. The government should never have the power to force you to say or do something you believe to be morally wrong.
The Washington Supreme Court doesn’t have the final word. But we need your help.
We all have a stake in this historic legal battle.
If the U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Barronelle’s case, the judgment against Barronelle—and your religious freedom—will stand. With this legal precedent in hand, there’s no telling what activists could someday try and force you to do against your religious objections!
There’s a lot on the line—for Barronelle and for us all. We are trusting God to provide the funding Barronelle’s case needs and to deliver a victory.
A generous family has already given a $1 million challenge grant to help defend religious freedom for Barronelle and people like her. Will you rise to the challenge today?
Your tax-deductible gift of $20, $50, $100, or more will be added to the challenge grant to further the impact for religious freedom during this critical time.
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Remember, it’s not just Barronelle’s freedom at stake—it’s yours too. And if it can happen to a sweet grandmother like Barronelle, it can happen to any of us. It can even happen to you.
Thank you for rallying around Barronelle and rising to the challenge today to defend people of faith.
DONATE NOW
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