New York's Attorney General filed suit this week in a New York state trial court against eleven crisis pregnancy centers and their parent organization alleging that they have violated the state's deceptive business practices and false advertising laws in promoting abortion pill reversal. The complaint (full text) in People of the State of New York v. Heartbeat International, Inc., (NY County Sup. Ct., filed 5/6/2024), alleges in part: There is no competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate Defendants’ claims about APR’s efficacy and safety, including the central promise that AP ..read more

In Yellowhammer Fund v. Marshall, (MD AL, May 6, 2024), an Alabama federal district court held that the state Attorney General would violate women's right to travel and the free expression rights of reproductive health providers and their staffs if he carried out his threat to prosecute anyone who assists women in arranging out-of-state abortions that would be illegal if performed in Alabama. Refusing to dismiss these claims by plaintiffs, the court said in part: ... [T]he Constitution protects the right to cross state lines and engage in lawful conduct in other States, including receiving an ..read more

As previously reported, last month the U.S. Department of Education promulgated new rules under Title IX on sex discrimination by educational programs receiving federal financial assistance. Among other things, the new rules provide that sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last Friday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced that Nebraska will not comply with the new title IX requirements which go into effect on August 1.  His announcement says in part:  “The Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX is an affront to the ..read more

Today is Yom HaShoah. The White House has posted a Statement from Vice President Harris on Holocaust Remembrance Day (full text).  The Statement says in part: [I]n recent days in the United States, we have seen hateful rhetoric and harassment against Jews. This is Antisemitism and must be condemned unequivocally. Hate of any kind has no place in our country. For the Jewish people, the past seven months have evoked the memories—along with fear and anguish—of the Holocaust. So to all the Jewish people around the world, know this: President Joe Biden and I stand with you. We will fight An ..read more

 From SSRN: Caitlin Millat, Race, Religion, and the Antiparallel, (American Journal of Law and Equality, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 4776907 (2024). Danny Li, The Comstock Act's Equal Protection Problem, (April 26, 2024). Lawrence B. Solum, Original Public Meaning, (Michigan State Law Review, Vol. 2023, No. 807). Liz Tobin-Tyler, Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Maternal Health Policy After Dobbs, (Seton Hall Law Review, Vol. 53, 2023). Carlo A. Pedrioli, In re Marriage Cases, Same-Sex Marriage, and th ..read more

The White House today issued a Statement from President Biden (full text) sending warm wishes from him and the First Lady to those celebrating Orthodox Christian Easter. The Statement says in part: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ reminds us of God’s abundant love for us and the power of light over darkness. We join Orthodox Christians in giving thanks for these and other blessings and rededicate ourselves to caring for those most in need. In this sacred season, we hold people who are suffering from war and persecution especially close to our hearts. We will continue to pray and work for pe ..read more

The Justice Department today filed suit against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice alleging that it violated Title VII by failing to accommodate a clerical employee's religious practice of wearing a head covering pursuant to her Ifa faith. The complaint (full text) in United States v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice, (SD TX, filed 5/3/2024), alleges in part: 34. Though Spears identified her belief in the Ifa faith and her religious practice of wearing a head covering, TDCJ was not satisfied that her religious beliefs were sincere or should be accommodated.  35. Instead, when ..read more

On Tuesday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 96-page 2024 Annual Report (full text). It detail developments in 28 countries and makes additional policy recommendations as well. As summarized by the agency's press release announcing the Report: In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommends 17 countries to the U.S. Department of State for designation as Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs) based on their governments engaging in or tolerating particularly severe violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. These include 12 that the State Depa ..read more

In re an Application by JR87, (NI CA, April 30, 2024), is an appeal in a challenge to the legality of religious education and collective worship practices in schools in Northern Ireland. In the case, parents who are humanists and are not raising their daughter in any religious tradition object to the Christian religious education and collective worship in their daughter's school. Among other things, they rely on Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion) and Article 2 of Protocol 1 to the Convention which provides in part: Educ ..read more

Pursuant to 36 USC §119, President Biden has issued a Proclamation (full text) declaring today as this year's National Day of Prayer.  The Proclamation reads in part: On this National Day of Prayer, we recognize the power of prayer to strengthen our spirits, draw us together, and create hope for a better tomorrow. The right to practice our faiths freely and openly is enshrined in the Constitution and remains at the core of our American spirit.  For centuries, Americans of every religion and background have come together to lift up one another and our Nation in prayer.  Throug ..read more