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Press Release | Advocates For Faith & Freedom Files a Motion to Reconsider on Behalf of Pastor Dennis Hodges
Press Release | Advocates For Faith & Freedom Files a Motion to Reconsider on Behalf of Pastor Dennis Hodges
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
CONTACT: Jake Matthews
jake@jlkpolitical.COM
Murrieta, CA – This week, Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed a Motion to Reconsider a case after a judge dismissed our client, Pastor Dennis Hodges’, lawsuit against the San Diego Mayor. The San Diego Mayor effectively removed Pastor Hodges from his volunteer position on the Citizens Advisory Board on Police/Community Relations for the City of San Diego after Pastor Hodges chose to abstain from voting on an agenda item that conflicted with his sincerely held religious beliefs regarding transgenderism.
The Court erroneously dismissed Pastor Hodges’ lawsuit leading Pastor Hodges to file a Motion to Reconsider. The Court classified Pastor Hodges’ personal religious beliefs as political rhetoric not protected by the First Amendment. By classifying his religious beliefs as political rhetoric and upholding Pastor Hodges’ removal from the Advisory Board, the Court created an unconstitutional litmus test based on religion for those who wish to hold office. Additionally, the Court never evaluated if Pastor Hodges sufficiently pleaded his case for his free exercise of religion and free speech claims. A reconsideration of Pastor Hodges’ case is necessary to undo the unconstitutional litmus test and bring justice for Pastor Hodges.
“We are deeply saddened by the Court’s decision to toss out Pastor Hodges’ lawsuit,” said Julianne Fleischer, legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “People of faith should never be discriminated against because of their convictions. The Court’s decision to dismiss Pastor Hodges’ case sets a dangerous precedent that allows government officials to participate in the prejudicial hiring and firing practices of government boards whenever individuals do not align with a particular religious ideology. The Court’s Order effectively created an unconstitutional religious test for public servants to hold public office. It is unacceptable that individuals of faith are being explicitly forbidden from serving in government simply because of their faith.”
“I have dedicated my life to service,” said Pastor Dennis Hodges. “Though this case is ongoing, I will continue to stand up for religious people nationwide who have been discriminated against solely because of their faith. I am optimistic that our motion will succeed.”
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AB 1955: California’s Dangerous Parental Deception Law
This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1955 into law, creating government sanctioned deception between parents and their children by allowing schools to withhold critical information about students’ health and welfare. This law prohibits schools from notifying parents if a child requests to be called by a different name and pronoun, regardless of age. Contrary to the governor’s absurd claim that the bill protects the parent-child relationship, it instead makes children vulnerable to irreversible medical abuse and fosters a divide between parents and their children.
We are committed to challenging and overturning laws that infringe upon our constitutional rights, particularly those that harm children.
Click on the video below for an explanation from Advocates Attorney, Kelly Rickert.
For Some, the Pandemic Never Ends
The Pandemic Might Be Over — But the Consequences Remain Damaging
This past March marked four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that brought our country to a halt.
In the blink of an eye, government-mandated lockdowns inflicted widespread and long-term negative consequences across various facets of society.
For many Americans, their lives are still not back to normal.
Onishenko: For Some, the Pandemic Never Ends