Fitzgerald Joins Amicus Brief to Protect Religious Freedoms
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) joined Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) in a bicameral amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiff in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. This is a free speech and religious liberty case in which a football coach, Joe Kennedy, lost his job for kneeling in prayer following high school football games.
“Free speech and religious liberty are among the fundamental tenants to a free society,” said Congressman Fitzgerald. “When these rights are attacked, it is an attack on all of us who wish to practice our religion freely and uninhibited by the government. I’m proud to join my Republican colleagues in supporting Coach Kennedy through an amicus brief as his wrongful termination case goes before the Supreme Court of the United States. It is my hope that the First Amendment will prevail.”
BACKGROUND
After kneeling in post-game prayer for seven years without incident, in 2015, Bremerton School District asked Coach Kennedy to stop praying, citing constitutional concerns.
Coach Kennedy asked Bremerton for a religious accommodation but was denied. The Ninth Circuit found that as a public employee, Coach Kennedy’s actions were not protected by the First Amendment.
The Supreme Court of the United States previously denied cert, sending this case back to lower courts for further review, but has now agreed to hear the case.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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