|
Dear John,
Today, we’re excited to share some great news with you…our first victory of the year for retired seniors, Ken and Liv Hauge, and their right to conduct a Bible study at a senior living community in Virginia.
Just a few weeks ago, First Liberty Institute settled a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Hauges’ senior living community, which had previously banned them from meeting for Bible study and even threatened them with eviction!
Thanks to an agreement reached with the property management company, the Hauges, who are both in their 80’s, are now able to resume their weekly Bible studies with friends and neighbors in the apartment complex’s community room.
As part of the settlement, the apartment community changed their policies to remove the restriction on religious activities in the complex’s common areas. Additionally, the property management company also withdrew the notice that threatened to evict Ken and Liv.
This is a big win for the couple, who were originally banned from hosting their Bible study in July 2018. Since that time, as the lawsuit alleged, they were unable to meet together with their friends and neighbors to study Scriptures, pray and enjoy fellowship together in the common areas or in their own home.
Reclaiming religious freedom in this senior living community is more than just a win for the Hauges. It’s a victory for seniors of all faiths across America who want the freedom and protection to worship in the most sacred space of all: their own homes.
This important victory also reaffirms the principle that we don’t need permission or approval from state officials or apartment management staff to live out our faith in our own homes. We already have all the approval we need to freely worship at home, and it’s found in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and laws like the Fair Housing Act that protect against religious discrimination.
As we celebrate vindicating Ken and Liv’s rights, please remember that First Liberty continues to fight numerous cases nationwide that will impact your religious liberty at home, including our ongoing defense of the Jewish community in Airmont, NY as well as other Americans like Jeremy and Kristy Morris and Donna Dunbar, who’ve been subject to religious discrimination.
Lastly, we want to express our gratitude to you for standing strong with First Liberty, both in your prayers and through your generous financial support. Because YOU give, our legal team can continue leading the fight to reclaim religious liberty for you and your family, and for generations to come.
Thank you for making these victories possible.
Gratefully,
Kelly
Kelly J. Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
|
