Dear John,
Chike Uzuegbunam did everything the officials at Georgia Gwinnett College told him to do.
He moved where he was told to move. He applied for the permissions he was told to get.
And still—he was silenced.
All Chike wanted to do was share his faith with his fellow students. But college officials wouldn’t allow it. They stopped him from sharing the Gospel—twice.
This is unacceptable.
Government officials—such as college administrators and campus police—have no business silencing a student’s speech. College campuses are free speech zones.
With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, Chike decided to take a stand for freedom. But so far, college officials have avoided accountability for violating Chike’s constitutional right to free speech.
That’s why next week—on January 12—I’m arguing on Chike’s behalf before the U.S. Supreme Court and asking the justices to make things right.
Chike deserves justice, John.
And we must ensure government officials don’t get a free pass any time they trample someone’s constitutional rights. Whether it’s Chike’s rights, your rights, or anyone else’s. Freedom must be protected.
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The government is supposed to protect freedom, not take it away
Our constitutional rights are valuable—priceless, in fact. And when government officials violate those freedoms—like college officials did to Chike—they should be held responsible.
That’s what our court system is for.
But so far, the courts have held that the college doesn’t have to make any effort to redress its violation of Chike’s constitutional rights. It doesn’t matter that he was censored and threatened.
Chike was simply standing there on a public walkway on campus, handing out religious literature, and peacefully and respectfully engaging in conversation with those who stopped and wanted to talk with him. But college officials told Chike that to speak, he needed to get advance permission and reserve a time in one of two tiny speech zones on campus—zones that made up far less than 1% of the campus and were open less than 10% of the week.
Chike did what they asked.
But when Chike went to the designated zone during his reserved time, two campus police officers ordered him to stop sharing his faith again. They even threatened Chike with disciplinary action if he did not stop speaking!
The courts have declined to hold these college officials accountable for what they did to Chike. And if this continues, there’s nothing to stop officials from violating another student’s rights in the future.
And this legal principle doesn’t just apply to a student’s right to free speech—it applies to the constitutional rights of all Americans.
That’s why Chike’s case is so important, John.
Please take your stand for freedom today and help ensure that government officials are held accountable when they violate your rights! |
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Together we can fight—and WIN—for freedom!
Chike’s stand for freedom and justice could affect all of us.
Consider that last year, ADF received more than 5,000 legal requests.
Many of these calls come from people of faith like Chike who are being punished for living out and expressing their deeply held beliefs. They are small business owners, church members, and students—everyday people like you who simply want to honor God with their life and work.
These people desperately need help to defend their First Amendment freedoms. And because ADF doesn’t charge clients for the legal defense we provide, their fight for freedom isn’t possible without you, John.
We cannot back down when our most cherished liberties are threatened. We must stand for freedom—all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. And ADF is committed to defending courageous individuals like Chike, churches, and other organizations that are willing to take that stand.
That’s why your tax-deductible gift today is so critical.
God continues to bless ADF with opportunities to stand and win for freedom at the U.S. Supreme Court, and you are a key part of that, John.
Because of the prayers and faithful support of people like you, ADF has become one of the most successful First Amendment advocates at the U.S. Supreme Court, having won 11 cases at the high court since 2011.
Each of these victories plays a part in ensuring your constitutional freedoms are protected today—and for your children and grandchildren. But it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring a case like Chike’s all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
There’s a lot on the line—for Chike and for us all. And we can’t do it without you. We are trusting God to provide the funding Chike’s case needs and to deliver a victory.
A generous family has already given a $70,000 challenge grant to help defend religious freedom for Chike—and people like him. 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 freedom during this critical time.
Thank you for rallying around Chike and rising to the challenge today to defend people of faith. |
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Warm Regards,
Kristen K. Waggoner
General Counsel
Alliance Defending Freedom
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