First Liberty
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Dear John,
"You just had to be there."
Have you ever heard someone say that, John?
In our lives we experience extraordinary and one-of-a-kind moments,
occasions when everything around us just seems to move slightly
slower. Time just seems to stand still.
For me, one of those moments happened on Thursday, June 20th of this
year.
I remember sitting on the polished, antique wooden seats inside the
U.S. Supreme Court. Just a few months prior, I'd been in the
exact same room with an exceptional group of lawyers from First
Liberty and the Jones Day law firm presenting oral argument before the
Justices.
But it was different this time. I wasn't there to deliver a
stirring and persuasive legal argument. Instead, I was waiting to hear whether the Court
would issue its decision on the Bladensburg Memorial case.
Then I heard the Clerk of the Court begin reading the docket numbers
aloud. To give you an insider's take, this is the Supreme
Court's dramatic way of announcing its decisions.
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He read one docket number...then a second...and for a split second I
thought to myself, "the Court won't be releasing the
Bladensburg ruling today."
Then, it happened.
The Clerk called out the third number...Docket #17-17...the number
identifying the Bladensburg Memorial case. And having it memorized by
heart, I immediately felt a chilling rush.
Time briefly seemed to stand still...and suddenly, it hit me...
We're about to make history.
All the years of hard work, the investment of resources, the long
nights I saw our staff working and giving their best, the incredible
stories of all The American Legion veterans I had met, their families
and the countless First Liberty supporters who ardently prayed for
us...it all came back to me at that chilling, yet astounding moment.
In my 30 years defending religious liberty, I've had the
privilege of representing and fighting on behalf of hundreds of people
of faith, families and faith-based ministries. Thanks to God's
favor and His grace upon First Liberty, we've won hundreds of
important triumphs-and continue to win-for those
who've been targeted and persecuted because of their faith.
Yet, few moments in life are as memorable as when you claim victory at
the U.S. Supreme Court.
Because after winning at the nation's highest court, the rest is
history, as they say.
Together, we fought to secure a precedent-setting and truly historic
victory, one that's setting you and I, and millions of Americans
of all faiths, free to enjoy more religious freedom than we've
had in decades-or even in our lifetimes.
Without you, we wouldn't have been able to reclaim religious
liberty as we did in Bladensburg, and it's possible I
wouldn't have had the opportunity to experience such a moment as I did on that unforgettable June morning.
So, because of your continued financial support and prayers,
we'd like to say:
Thank you, John.
In the video below, two of our attorneys (Roger Byron, First
Liberty's Senior Counsel and Chris DiPompeo from the elite law
firm Jones Day) take a moment to express their gratitude to you:
Watch Now
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In case you hadn't met them before, Roger is a longtime member
of The American Legion and is our lawyer on staff who led the charge on the
Bladensburg case. Chris, one of the finest volunteer network
attorneys, devoted countless hours to this case, which is why we
awarded him First Liberty's 2019 Onderdonk Jr. Religious Liberty
Award.
Let me end with this.
Not everyone gets to make history. But as a loyal First Liberty
supporter-you get to be a part of unique and historic moments
for our country.
Because you give to First Liberty, you're coming onboard with
some of the best lawyers in America-and you're eventually
going to find yourself standing with us at the U.S. Supreme Court to
make more history.
Today, I'm asking you to consider making a generous year-end
gift to First Liberty.
This year, your donation is going to go the extra mile in the fight
for religious liberty thanks to a $300,000 CHALLENGE GRANT.
When you financially support First Liberty, we can continue to
fight-and WIN-for YOU at the nation's highest court.
Can I count on you, John?
Please consider giving today to help First Liberty reclaim religious
freedom in America.
Yes, I will make a financial contribution today.
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Gratefully,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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