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First Liberty Institute

First Liberty Institute is the largest non-profit legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans.

50+ Messages / Page

  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 19, 2025 at 1:31 PM

Victory: Big Win for Religious Freedom

First Liberty Institute Federal Court Blocks Washington Law Targeting Sanctity of the Confessional | July 19, 2025 Yesterday, a federal court blocked a new Washington state law that would have forced Catholic priests to face jail time unless they broke the sacred seal…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM

The States with the BEST Record on Religious Freedom...

First Liberty Institute Domestic religious freedom index: 2025 ranking of all 50 states | Which States are the Best (and Worst)  at Protecting Religious Liberty? On Monday, First Liberty’s Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy unveiled the results of the…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM

100 years and counting

First Liberty Institute The Peace Cross celebrates its 100th anniversary | Valor, Endurance, Courage and Devotion These are the words inscribed on the base of the Bladensburg Peace Cross. They were chosen by the Gold Star Mothers of the 49 World War I service members na…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM

Breaking: Which State Ranks #1?

First Liberty Institute Governor Ron DeSantis announces The Religious Liberty in the States top state for religious freedom | July 14, 2025 Today, First Liberty Institute’s Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD) revealed the results of its fourth annual R…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Breaking: Bath & Body Works Declares Its Wokeness

First Liberty Institute Store Manager Fired For Not Using Prefered Pronouns | July 12, 2025 First Liberty has filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Bath & Body Works on behalf of Jocelyn Boden. Why? S…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM

Decades of IRS Bullying are Over: Pastors & Churches Can Endorse Political Candidates

First Liberty Institute Houses of worship can freely and fully speak out on politics, need not fear losing tax exempt status | Churches and Religious Organizations  Can Endorse Political Candidates, IRS Announces For decades, the Johnson Amendment has been us…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM

Why the Supreme Court Took This Case

First Liberty Institute Justices to decide the right of every American to have their day in court | July 8, 2025 First Liberty’s Nate Kellum Discusses Our Latest Supreme Court Case Dear John, When we argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, we do so with the under…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM

We must go back to get to a better future

First Liberty Institute Taking America back to the Founders’ Intent |   Yesterday, we celebrated our nation’s 249th anniversary. And while preparations are already underway for our 250th, we can’t overlook the year ahead of us in the fight to preserve religious freedom.…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM

The Supreme Court Just Agreed to Hear One of Our Cases

First Liberty Institute First Liberty will defend evangelist who was banned from sharing faith in a park and denied his day court | Supreme Court Will Hear Our Case of Evangelist  Banned from Sharing His Faith Gabriel Olivier's case presents the nation’s high…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear First Liberty Case

First Liberty Institute Justices to decide the right of every American to have their day in court | July 3, 2025 Dear John, The Supreme Court of the United States announced today that it will hear oral argument in the case of Gabriel Olivier. This is the first case ta…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
July 1, 2025 at 1:00 AM

FW: Be a Catalyst for Freedom

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Matching Grant Maximizes Your Impact | John, did you see this? If you haven’t, please take just a few moments to read the email below to learn how your fiscal year-end gift can make a huge impact. There are only a few hours left before our fiscal…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 30, 2025 at 9:31 PM

Be a Catalyst for Freedom

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Matching Grant Maximizes Your Impact | Dear John, So far, 2025 has been an incredible year here at First Liberty. I just want to say thank you. So many faithful friends like you stepped up to the plate to join us in our efforts to secure …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM

The Ones We Fight For...

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Challenge Grant Ends at Midnight | Just a Few Hours Left for Our $500,000 Challenge Grant Dear John, We’re down to the FINAL FEW HOURS of our fiscal year. And what a year it has been! We’ve fought for pastors, service members, teachers, p…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM

It doesn't matter where...

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Challenge Grant Ends at Midnight | Dear John, In the fight for faith, there are no small cases, but there are BIG outcomes. Winning a case can make a major impact in a neighborhood...a community...a state. It can even impact the nation as…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 29, 2025 at 9:30 PM

Threatened for Preaching from the Bible

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Challenge Grant Maximizes Your Impact | June 29, 2025 Dear John, It all happened so fast. One minute, Chaplain Rusty Trubey was preaching from the first chapter of Romans. The next, he was being questioned by VA police. Why? Someone, a…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM

It's What the 1st Amendment Ensures

First Liberty Institute $500,000 Challenge Grant Maximizes Your Impact | Dear John, Religious freedom is essential to our country. Without it, all of our freedoms would slowly wither away. That’s why our Constitution demands that we protect it. The Future of Religious Fre…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM

A Decisive Victory for Parental Rights

First Liberty Institute Supreme Court rules parents have the right to opt their children out of content that contradicts beliefs | June 27, 2025 Dear John, The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a decisive victory for parental rights and religious freedom today. In their Ma…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 27, 2025 at 11:31 AM

Delivering Freedom: Celebrating 15 Big Wins Across America

First Liberty Institute Want to keep the momentum going strong? Donate by June 30th to multiply your impact | 15 Victories for Religious Freedom— and How You Can Keep the Momentum Going Since January, your support made 15 legal victories possible. Plus, you s…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM

You Need to Know...

First Liberty Institute Watch a Special Interview with Kelly | June 26, 2025 Dear John, As we close out our fiscal year on June 30th, we are looking forward to positioning First Liberty for a strong finish to 2025. And I can tell you, we are facing both critical chall…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 24, 2025 at 9:31 PM

What a Day!

First Liberty Institute Thank you for making this a First Freedom Day to Remember | Dear John, What a day! The cases, the faces and the hope for a better, more faith-filled tomorrow. That’s what First Freedom Day is all about. Time is Running Out to Double Your ImpactOur $2…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM

Even more reasons to celebrate First Freedom Day

First Liberty Institute Live case updates from Keisha Russell, Erin Smith and Jeremy Dys | Dear John, This First Freedom Day we’re excited to celebrate the seismic cultural and political shift our four precedent-setting victories at the Supreme Court are having on our country. To…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM

It's Started

First Liberty Institute Today Only: $20,000 Matching Grant Doubles Your Impact |   Dear John, Welcome to our 3rd Annual First Freedom Day! There is a great cause to celebrate today, and you are the reason for that. Because of your prayers and financial support, we have flippe…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM

These are the days to remember

First Liberty Institute First Freedom Day starts in less than 24 hours | Dear John, Throughout our lives, we experience days that are so impactful we remember every detail – where we were, the friends we were with, even the words that were spoken. And on the anniversaries …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM

This Opportunity Comes Once in a Generation

First Liberty Institute How the President’s Religious Liberty Commission Can Impact America’s Future | Kelly Shackelford Discusses First Meeting of  Religious Liberty Commission “We’re living in a sea change moment. Opportunities like this only come around on…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM

A Federal Shift for Religious Freedom

First Liberty Institute Watch my recap of the first Religious Liberty Commission Meeting | June 19, 2025 Dear John, During the most recent Administration, our First Freedom came under attack in ways we had not seen. Twenty-three Americans were put in prison for prayin…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM

It's What God Calls Us To Do

First Liberty Institute First Freedom Day is one week away. You won’t want to miss it. |   Dear John, First Liberty’s mission is two-fold. We defend religious freedom from attack, and we fight to secure the future of our First Freedom for generations to come. It’s what…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM

Banned from city park for sharing her faith?

First Liberty Institute A Blind Woman’s Stand for Faith | Dear John, Gail Blair, a blind resident of Westerly, Rhode Island, was simply sitting on a park bench having a conversation when the park director approached her threatening to call the police. Why? Gail was doing…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM

Join Us for the First Meeting of The Religious Liberty Commission

First Liberty Institute Save the Date - June 16, 2025, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST | June 14, 2025 Dear John, In May, President Trump established The Religious Liberty Commission by executive order and asked me to serve as a member of it. I'm excited to tell you the Commis…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM

Victory: Christian Mom Invited Back to Pray at City Council Meeting

First Liberty Institute City of Ventura agrees to let our client pray and give comments at upcoming meeting | Victory: California Mom Invited to Return and Pray  at City Council Meeting The City of Ventura agreed to let our client, Tarin Swain, pray at the ne…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM

Breaking News Alert: City of Waco runs afoul of First Amendment

First Liberty Institute Religious speech zoned out in public park | June 12, 2025 Dear John, When does free speech become banished speech? Before I answer the question, I want to make sure that you don’t miss out on this giving opportunity. Now through June 30th, you…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 10, 2025 at 4:30 PM

Fighting for Faith, Delivering Freedom

First Liberty Institute Save the Date for our 3rd Annual First Freedom Day |   Dear John, For the past year, First Liberty has been on the frontlines of the battle defending your First Amendment right to freely exercise your faith. And I can tell you that this year has…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 6, 2025 at 11:30 AM

Cambridge Christian School Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Its Case

First Liberty Institute TODAY: Filing Supreme Court petition for students who were banned from praying at a football game | Christian School Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case  Over Prayer Ban at Football Games Students at Cambridge Christian School were ba…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM

The Price of Freedom

First Liberty Institute Honoring those that fight for our freedom | June 5, 2025 Dear John, On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the heavily fortified coastline of northern France called Normandy. Nearly half of those troops were Americans. And a…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
June 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM

A New Supreme Court Case?

First Liberty Institute Plus, Save the Date for First Freedom Day |   We're about to have two cases pending review at the U.S. Supreme Court. As a private school state championship game at the Orange Bowl in Florida was getting ready to start, state officials told Cambr…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM

An Unexpected Comeback

First Liberty Institute The Ten Commandments are Back! | May 31, 2025 Dear John, We are witnessing an incredible moment in history. Our Founding Fathers always intended for religious liberty to be our nation’s foundation. It’s why they made religious freedom our First…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM

Big Court Date Coming Up for Christian Families in California

First Liberty Institute This case could set a precedent for millions of families who choose a religious education | June 4: Federal Appeals Court Date for  Christian Families in California We’ll be in court next week arguing a major case. Winning it could set…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM

They Fought for Us, We Were Honored to Fight for Them

First Liberty Institute Watch a special video message from one of our Navy SEALs | May 25, 2025 Dear John, Freedom. Whenever I see someone wearing the uniform of one our Nation’s armed forces, that’s what I think of. I also think of the high price that the men and wom…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM

Honoring Our Nation's Fallen by Keeping Their Memorials Standing

First Liberty Institute 100 years of the Bladensburg Peace Cross, a gravestone to remember those who never made it home | 100 Years Later, The Bladensburg Peace Cross  Remains Standing as a Symbol of Sacrifice In 1925, The American Legion helped complete the …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM

Big Win: Christian Students Won't Be Forced to Affirm Radical Gender Ideology

First Liberty Institute Federal court orders school to notify parents, provide opt-outs from gender ideology materials | Big Win: Federal Court Orders School to Notify Parents, Provide Opt-Outs from Gender Ideology Lessons We represent two families whose fift…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Returning the Church's Voice

First Liberty Institute It’s time to repeal the Johnson Amendment | May 15, 2025 Dear John, Throughout our nation’s history, houses of worship and religious leaders have played a direct role in political discourse in the United States. Prior to the 1950s, religious …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM

BIG Win for Parents!

First Liberty Institute California Court rules schools have a duty to notify parents and provide opt-outs | May 13, 2025 Just a year ago, a school in Encinitas, CA used its “Buddy Activity Program” to force its fifth-grade students to deliver a message affirming gen…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM

3 Legal Victories + Colton Dixon Shout Out on Instagram

First Liberty Institute Big week at First Liberty | Three Legal Victories in a Single Week Restore Religious Freedom to Church, Teacher and Elementary Students What a tremendous week! Our President, CEO & Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford was recently appoi…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM

A Special Message from Kelly

First Liberty Institute My Take on the Presidential Commission on Religious Freedom | May 6, 2025 Dear John, For me, this year’s National Day of Prayer ceremony in the Rose Garden at The White House was a very humbling experience. During the ceremony, President Trum…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM

Is it Summer Already?

First Liberty Institute The fight for faith is heating up in May |   Dear John, What a start to the month of May for First Liberty! This month, religious freedom is already being impacted in historic ways. But since May is Military Appreciation Month, I want to start wi…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM

I was at the White House this week...for a very special announcement

First Liberty Institute Pres. Trump asked me to serve on new religious freedom commission | First Liberty Institute’s Kelly Shackelford Appointed  to President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission During a ceremony celebrating National Day of Prayer, the Pres…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
May 1, 2025 at 8:24 PM

A major announcement from the White House

First Liberty Institute Kelly Shackelford appointed to serve on newly created presidential commission | May 1, 2025 “From the earliest days of our Republic, faith in God has always been the source of the strength that beats in the hearts of our nation. We have to bring …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
April 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM

The new fight to protect faith

First Liberty Institute First Liberty responds to radical extremists' attacks | Dear John, The Trump administration has taken a number of positive actions in recent weeks concerning religious freedom. First, the administration established the White House Office of Faith to “empo…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
April 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM

California Mayor Orders Christian Mom to Stop Praying

First Liberty Institute “We don’t do prayer,” Ventura Mayor says after interrupting mom who prayed at city council meeting | California Mayor Orders Christian Mom to Stop Praying  at City Council Meeting More than 100 people spoke at the meeting, including a …
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
April 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM

City Says "We Don't Do Prayer"

First Liberty Institute First Liberty fights for prayer in Ventura, California | April 22, 2025 Dear John, As Tarin Swain walked to the podium at the March Ventura City Council, she felt compelled by religious conviction to pray. She hadn’t planned to pray. In fact,…
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  Kelly Shackelford · [email protected]
April 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM

Landmark First Liberty Case Cited in Presidential Directive

First Liberty Institute Memo to agencies points to our Supreme Court victory in Treat Children Fairly case, Carson v. Makin | Landmark First Liberty Case Cited  in Directive to Federal Agencies As part of an effort to repeal unlawful regulations, the administ…
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