Freedom Updates
Advocates in Action
Faith, Church, and Culture: Navigating Legal Challenges
This past week we were honored to join TPUSA Faith for a second annual Pastors Summit. Advocates attorney, Bob Tyler, discussed faith-related legal and cultural challenges, inspiring pastors to boldly champion truth.
We face a barrage of challenges to our most basic religious freedoms, and the need to prevail in the court system has never been greater. Watch the full panel discussion below.
Press Release | California Church Sues California Government For Spying on Members During COVID-19
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, august 23, 2023
CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM
Murrieta, CA – On August 22, 2023, a lawsuit was filed by Advocates for Faith and Freedom on behalf of Calvary Chapel San Jose against Santa Clara County, California, for utilizing geofencing methods to spy on church members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Santa Clara County imposed a $1.2 million fine against the church for not abiding by the State’s and County’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Santa Clara County utilized an investigative method known as geofencing. Geofencing is a technological tool the government uses to track people relative to their location and likely locations. This tool is typically used in police investigations of criminal activity and, in these instances, requires a warrant– which is not always granted.
“People of faith should never have to worry about the government spying on them in places of worship,” said Mariah Gondeiro, Vice President and legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “We are standing up for people of all faiths across the country who have been and continue to be, targeted by the government. This invasion of privacy and targeting violates the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and represents a terrifying precedent if allowed to go unaddressed. It is time to hold Santa Clara County accountable for violating the rights of Calvary Chapel members.”
“Our church believes in the rights and privacy of all our members,” said Pastor Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel San Jose. “We are not just standing up for the rights of our church family; we are standing up for the rights of religious people across this country.”
Press Release | A California School Board Retained Advocates for Faith and Freedom in Fight to Ban CRT
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, august 9, 2023
CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM
Murrieta, CA – On August 09, 2023, the Temecula Valley Unified School District Board (“TVUSD”) voted to retain Advocates for Faith & Freedom to defend against a previously filed lawsuit regarding critical race theory.
The lawsuit was filed by a group of political activists and the Temecula Valley Educators Association and challenges a resolution implemented by the Board banning critical race theory. The lawsuit claims the resolution harms children of color and LGBTQ students and deprives them of a quality education.
“The Board’s opposition to CRT is based precisely on the discriminatory philosophy it encourages and is thus not tantamount to discrimination or the failure to provide a quality education, but in fact just the opposite,” says Robert Tyler, President for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “TVUSD is committed to providing students with a holistic education, instead of pushing political agendas and divisive curriculum. Our contention is that the TVUSD is doing exactly what they were elected by parents to do, which is guide curriculum in accordance with what is best for all students, free from the political influences and whims of lobbyists and special interest groups.”
“As the President of the Board, my goal is to ensure that all school children receive a fair and equal education, and that is what this resolution promotes.” says Dr. Joseph Komrosky. “TVUSD believes that the diversity that exists among the District’s community of students, staff, parents, and guardians is an asset to be honored and valued. The majority of the Board chose to hire Bob Tyler and his team because they are highly qualified with substantial experience litigating constitutional questions like the ones raised here.”