Combating Religious Discrimination And Protecting Religious Freedom
Religious Freedom in Focus Newsletters
These newsletters provide updates about the Civil Rights Division’s work combating religious discrimination.
Volume 88 (October 2020)
- Vermont’s Barring Parochial Student from College Course Program Violates Constitution, Department of Justice Argues
- Federal Court Orders District of Columbia to Permit Church’s Outdoor Worship Service
- San Francisco Changes “One Congregant” Rule for Places of Worship After DOJ Calls it Unconstitutional
- Department of Justice Marks 20th Anniversary of Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act with Comprehensive 20-Year Report
- Justice Department Settles Suit Over Borough’s Denial of Permit to Orthodox Worship Center
- Justice Department Files Brief in Indiana Supreme Court Supporting Catholic Archdiocese’s First Amendment Rights in Former High School Teacher’s Lawsuit
- Focus on Religious Hate Crimes
Volume 87 (July 2020)
- Justice Department Continues Efforts to Protect Worship From Unequal Treatment in COVID-19 Restrictions
- Supreme Court Hands Downs Three Victories for Free Exercise of Religion at End of Term
- RLUIPA Suit Filed Against Stafford County, Virginia, Over Blocking of Islamic Cemetery
- Suit by Muslim Prisoners Seeking Religious Accommodation Should Proceed, Brief Argues
Volume 86 (May 2020)
- Justice Department Sends Letter to California Governor Calling for Equal Treatment of Religious Gatherings
- Justice Department Files Suit Against Jackson, New Jersey Alleging Zoning Code Used to Keep Out Orthodox Jewish Schools and Residents
- North Lauderdale, Florida Changes Zoning Code to Equalize Treatment of Places of Worship
- Missouri Man Indicted for Hate Crime and Arson Charges
- Rastafarian Prisoner Released From Solitary Confinement After Justice Department Files Brief Supporting Religious Liberty Claim
Volume 85 (March 2020)
- United States Files Brief Supporting Muslim Prisoner’s Religious Liberty Claim
- Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest Supporting Photographer’s Free Speech Claim
- United States Suit Alleges Nebraska Village Improperly Blocked Church
- Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Burning Three Baptist Churches
- DOJ Closes Investigation After Virginia Retirement Community Permits Religious Speech in Common Areas
Volume 84 (January 2020)
- United States Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn “Blaine Amendments”
- Department of Education Issues Updated Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in the Public Schools
- United States Files Statement of Interest in Georgia Hindu Temple Case
- United States Intervenes in Maryland Church Zoning Dispute to Defend Constitutionality of RLUIPA
- New York Man Charged With Federal Hate Crimes for Machete Attack at Rabbi’s Home
- United States Urges Supreme Court to Revisit Standard for Accommodating Employees’ Religious Practices
Volume 83 (November 2019)
- United States Files Brief Explaining That Maryland Improperly Excluded Christian School from Scholarship Program
- Colorado Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Plotting to Blow Up Synagogue
- DOJ Closes Investigation After Wisconsin City Equalizes Treatment of Places of Worship
- United States Files Brief in Buddhist Meditation Center Appeal
- Justice Department Files Brief in Maine School Choice Appeal
- DOJ Reaches Agreement With Virginia Department of Corrections Over Religious Practice Policies
Volume 82 (September 2019)
- Justice Department Asks Indiana Court to Dismiss Former Teacher’s Suit Against Archdiocese
- White House Symposium Addresses Security Issues for Places of Worship
- DOJ Files Supreme Court Brief in Montana Scholarship Case
- Justice Department Files Suit Alleging RLUIPA Violation in Denial of Islamic Center
- Ohio Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Anti-Jewish Assault
Volume 81 (June 2019)
- Louisiana Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Setting Fire to Three Churches
- Place to Worship Initiative Looks Back at First Year
- Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest in Maine School Choice Case
- Chelan County, Washington Amends Zoning Code to Treat Places of Worship and Secular Assemblies Equally
- Oregon Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Threats to Eugene Church
- Court Allows Church’s RLUIPA Equal Terms Case To Move Forward
Volume 80 (May 2019)
- California Man Charged With Federal Hate Crimes for Poway Synagogue Shooting, Mosque Arson
- Vermont Improperly Barred Parochial Students From College Course Program, United States Brief Argues
- Pryor Creek, Oklahoma Amends Zoning Code to Equalize Treatment of Places of Worship
- Office of Personnel Management Finalizes Religious Comp Time Rule
- Settlement Reached in Islamic Cemetery Dispute
Volume 79 (April 2019)
- Court Orders Village to Allow Church to Meet in Commercial District
- Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Native American Land Use Case
- Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Michigan Church Zoning Case
- Court Dismisses Claim After Town Civic Center Guarantees Churches Equal Access
- Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Threatening Jewish Community Center
Volume 78 (February 2019)
- Federal Court Agrees That University’s De-registering of Christian Student Group Violated the First Amendment
- Court of Appeals Rules That Baltimore Church’s RLUIPA Claim May Proceed
- Long Beach Changes Zoning Code to Equalize Treatment of Places of Worship
- Update on Religious Hate Crimes
- Court Agrees With United States that Mosque’s RLUIPA Claim Should Proceed
Volume 77 (December 2018)
- Florida City Amends Zoning Code to Treat Places of Worship Equally With Nonreligious Assemblies
- DOJ Files Brief Supporting Church’s Right to Rent Space at Community Center
- Focus on Religious Hate Crimes
- 25th Anniversary of RFRA Commemorated
- Department Closes Investigation After New Jersey Township Approves Church Expansion
- DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After Chicago Reaches Parking Agreement With Church
- Department Provides Technical Assistance on Religious Accommodation at County Detention Facility, Concludes Investigation
Volume 76 (September 2018)
- Federal Court Adopts DOJ’s Analysis, Allows Church’s RLUIPA Claim to Proceed to Trial
- Attorney General Announces Creation of Religious Liberty Task Force at DOJ Summit
- Department Closes Investigation in Response to Florida City Equalizing Treatment of Religious and Nonreligious Land Uses
- DOJ Files Statement of Interest Supporting Hindu Association’s RLUIPA Suit
- Town Allows Land Sale to Church, Amends Ordinance, After DOJ Investigation
- Update on Religious Hate Crimes
Volume 75 (June 2018)
- Department of Justice Announces Place to Worship Initiative
- Department Files Suit Over Zoning Denial of New Jersey Synagogue Construction
- Supreme Court Rules that Colorado Civil Rights Commission Violated Free Exercise Rights of Christian Baker Who Refused to Bake Cake for Same-Sex Wedding
- Department Files Brief Supporting Church’s Expansion Efforts
- Three Men Convicted for Plotting to Bomb Somali Muslim Apartment and Mosque in Kansas
- RLUIPA Investigation Closed after Corrections Department Modifies Policy Regarding Native American Religious Ceremonies
Volume 74 (March 2018)
- Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore Addresses Hate Crimes at Capitol Hill Event
- Requiring Clergy Letter for Religious Accommodation Violated Title VII, Suit Alleges
- Indictment in Jewish Community Center Threats
- Tampa, Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Burn Down Home Being Purchased by Muslim Family
- Justice Department Releases Religious Liberty Section For U.S. Attorneys’ Manual
Volume 73 (January 2018)
- President, Attorney General, Recognize Religious Freedom Day
- Department of Justice Files Amicus Brief in Montana School Choice Case
- Florida Man Sentenced in Islamic Center Threat Case
- Justice Department Defends Archdiocese of Washington’s Religious Liberty
Volume 72 (October 2017)
- City Amends Code to Treat Houses of Worship Equally With Other Places of Assembly
- Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Free Exercise of Religion
- Attorney General Issues Guidance On Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty
- Department of Justice Files Brief in Defense of Campus Free Speech
- Tennessee Men Charged in Mosque Vandalism
Volume 71 (September 2017)
- Acting Assistant Attorney General Highlights Prosecution of Hate Crimes in Address at Virginia Mosque
- Civil Rights Division Marks 60th Anniversary
- Department of Justice Tells Supreme Court that First Amendment Forbids Compelling Baker to Violate Conscience
- United States Resolves Suit Against Pennsylvania Township Over Denial of Approval for Mosque
- Sewage Regulation is Land Use Regulation Under RLUIPA
- Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and WMD Charge for Attempted Attack on Synagogue
Volume 70 (May 2017)
- Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Religious Hate Crimes
- Man Charged for Threatening Jewish Community Centers
- RLUIPA Applies to Sewage Permit Denial that Prevented Use of Property as House of Worship
Volume 69 (March 2017)
Volume 68 (December 2016)
- DOJ Sends Letter to U.S. Mayors Highlighting RLUIPA
- Focus on Religion-Based Violence and Attacks on Places of Worship
- Consent Order Resolves Suit Over New York Church’s Efforts to Locate in Commercial District
- Department of Justice Files Three RLUIPA Land-Use Cases Involving Mosques
- Consent Order Resolves Michigan Religious School Lawsuit
Volume 67 (August 2016)
- Justice Department Issues Report on Religion Roundtable Series
- Justice Department Issues Report on RLUIPA
- Justice Department Files RLUIPA Suit Against Pennsylvania Township that Denied Zoning Approval for Mosque
- Appeals Court Rules Florida Prisons Must Provide Kosher Meals
- Florida Man Charged with Civil Rights Violations for Synagogue Bombing Attempt
Volume 66 (May 2016)
- Jury Finds Twin Towns on Arizona Utah Border Discriminated Based on Religion in Housing and Policing Practices
- Man Pleads Guilty to Forcibly Removing Muslim Woman’s Headscarf on Plane
- Guilty Plea in Case Related to Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting
- Trial Court Properly Required Prison to Accommodate Religious Beard and Prayer Cap, Appeals Court Rules
- Kosher Meal Should be Available to Muslim Inmate, United States Argues
- U.S. Attorneys Hold Events Around Country on Countering Backlash Against Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian Communities
Volume 65 (February 2016)
- Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Threat to Firebomb Mosques
- Civil Rights Division Closes Investigation After City Allows Churches in Commercial Zones
- Florida City Removes Special Development Standards for Places of Worship; Department of Justice Closes Investigation
- Department of Justice to Sponsor Roundtables on Religious Discrimination and Religious Hate Crimes
- Civil Rights Division Participates in Workshop in Spain on Religious Discrimination
- Justice Department Files Suit Over Mosque Denial
- Department of Justice Closes Investigation After Village Zoning Change Permits Church
- City of Norwalk Equalizes Treatment of Places of Worship in Response to DOJ Investigation
- Civil Rights Division Participates in Webinar on Church Security in Wake of Charleston Shootings
Volume 63 (June 2015)
- United States' Suit Alleging Systematic Religious Discrimination by Twin Cities on Utah/Arizona Border May Proceed to Trial, Court Rules
- DOJ Closes Investigation of Virginia County After Rezoning Allows Church Construction
- Supreme Court Clarifies Religious Accommodation Standard Under Title VII
- Georgia City Changes Zoning Ordinance to Treat Religious and Non-Religious Assemblies Equally
- Florida Must Provide Kosher Meals for Prisoners, Court Rules
Volume 62 (January/February 2015)
- Inmate has Right to Wear Beard for Religious Purposes, Supreme Court Rules
- Consent Order Resolves Minnesota Prayer-Center Lawsuit
- Georgia School District Agrees to Settlement to Address Harassment Based on Religion and National Origin
- RFRA Does Not Shield City Officials From Answering Questions About Religious Discrimination, Court Rules
Volume 61 (October 2014)
- Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Prisoner RLUIPA Case
- Synagogue RLUIPA Suit Should Proceed, Appeals Court Rules
- Township Amends Zoning Code in Response to Investigation
- U.S. Settles Religious Accommodation Suit Against School District of Philadelphia
- Convictions Reversed in Case of Attack on Amish Men and Women
- United States Files Suit Over Zoning Denial of Prayer Hall
- United States Dismisses Murfreesboro Mosque Case After Supreme Court Denies Review
- Update: Utah Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Attack on Synagogue and Gun Charges
Volume 60 (May 2014)
- Three Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Prosecuted in April in Texas, Utah and New Mexico
- Appeals Court Affirms Native American Religious Practice Under RLUIPA
- Georgia City Changes Zoning Ordinance to Treat Churches Equally With Non-Religious Assemblies
- Justice Department Files Suit Against School District Over Failure to Accommodate Muslim School Police Officer
- Georgetown Professor and DOJ Lawyer Engage Malaysians on Religious Freedom Issues
Volume 59 (February 2014)
- Court Requires Kosher Meals for Florida Prisoners
- Court Approves Settlement in Sabbath Accommodation Suit
- Court Dismisses RLUIPA Appeal After Settlement
- RLUIPA Highlighted on Religious Freedom Day
- Civil Rights Division Participates in Workshop in Greece on Religious Liberty
Volume 58 (November 2013)
- Utah Man Charged with Firing Gun at Synagogue
- DOJ Settles Sabbath Accommodation Suit Against Birmingham Police Department
- Civil Rights Division Participates in Religious Liberty Conference in Indonesia
- Indictment in Threat Against Synagogue
Volume 57 (July 2013)
- Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Puerto Rico Police Department
- Guilty Plea in Attack on Sikh Taxi Driver
- Prison Officials Impermissibly Took Sides on Religious Doctrine Dispute, Brief Contends
- DOJ Asks Court to Order Kosher Meals for Florida Prisoners
- Department of Justice Reaches Settlement With Georgia School District Over Harassment of Sikh Student
- Virginia Teen, Charged as Adult, Sentenced in Church Arson
- Civil Rights Division Presents Workshop in Bosnia on Religious Liberty
Volume 56 (April 2013)
- Brewer, Maine Amends Zoning Code in Response to RLUIPA Investigation
- Update: Twenty-Year Sentence in Mosque Arson Case
- Washington Man Indicted on Federal Hate Crime Charge for Attack on Sikh Man
- Appeals Court Upholds Prisoner's Right to Wear Quarter-Inch Beard
- Agreement Reached to Resolve Mosque Construction Dispute in Lomita, California
- United States Closes Investigation Over Access to Religious Literature After County Jail Implements Changes
- Update: Sentencings in Attack on Amish Men and Women in Ohio
- Maryland Church's RLUIPA Rights May Have Been Violated, Appeals Court Rules
Volume 55 (January 2013)
- Assistant Attorney General Describes American Experience with Freedom of Religion and Expression in Malaysia
- Guilty Plea in Toledo Mosque Arson
- Church Land Use Case Requires Totality of the Circumstances Approach, United States Argues
- United States' Suit Alleging Religious Discrimination in Policing and Housing Can Move Forward, Court Rules
- County Agrees to Let Church Building Project Move Forward, Resolving RLUIPA Claims
Volume 54 (November 2012)
- Town Hall Meeting of Religious Organizations at Department of Justice Addresses Religion-Based Hate Crimes
- Indiana Man Charged in Arson of Toledo-Area Mosque
- Church Harmed By Restrictive Zoning Law, Fifth Circuit Concludes
- Jury Convicts 16 for Attacks on Amish in Ohio
- Court Upholds South Dakota Native American Prisoners' Rights under RLUIPA
- Suit Alleging that City and Town Engaged in Systematic Religious Discrimination Should Move Forward, United States Argues
Volume 53 (August 2012)
- Special Note: Responding to the Oak Creek Tragedy
- DOJ Files Suit Seeking Kosher Meals for Florida Prisoners
- Church Harmed By Restrictive Zoning Laws, United States Argues
- DOJ Wins Temporary Restraining Order in RLUIPA Suit, Allows Tennessee Mosque to Open
Volume 52 (June 2012)
- City and Town Engaged in Systematic Religious Discrimination, Suit Alleges
- Texas Man Indicted for Bomb Threat to Tennessee Mosque
- Mosque's RLUIPA Suit Should Be Allowed to Go to Trial, United States' Brief Argues
- Settlement Reached in Longstanding Religious Discrimination Suit Against New York City Transit Authority
- Church's RLUIPA Lawsuit Should Move Forward, Brief Argues
Volume 51 (April 2012)
- Trial Court Erred in Ruling Against Church in RLUIPA Case, Appeals Brief Argues
- Neighbor Veto for Churches Violates RLUIPA, Brief Argues
- Brief Filed in Prisoner RLUIPA Case
- Update: Four More Indicted in Attack on Amish in Ohio
Volume 50 (January 2012)
- Prisoners Gain Access to Religious Materials, Resolving DOJ Lawsuit
- Brief Filed Supporting Lower Court in Prison RLUIPA Case
- Twelve Indicted in Attacks on Amish
- Update: Third Main Sentenced in Massachusetts Church Arson
Volume 49 (October 2011)
- RLUIPA Investigation Closed After Town Allows Church to Meet and Amends Zoning Code
- Consent Decree Requires Religious Accommodation for Teacher
- Religious Exemption Applies to Faith-Based Programs, Appeals Court Rules
- Consent Decree Reached in Virginia Mosque Dispute
Volume 48 (August 2011)
- Oregon Man Indicted for Mosque Arson
- Former TSA Employee Pleads Guilty to Assault on Elderly Somali Muslim Man
- DOJ Reaches Settlement in Georgia Mosque Dispute
- Court Order Resolves DOJ Suit Over Buddhist Worship Center
- Department of Justice Files Briefs Defending the Constitutionality of RLUIPA
Volume 47 (July 2011)
- City Improperly Excluded Church From Downtown District, Appeals Court Rules
- Jewish Congregation Wins Right to Locate in Los Angeles Neighborhood
- Constitutionality of RLUIPA Upheld in Connecticut Synagogue Case
- Guilty Plea in Attack on Sikh Man in Odessa, Texas
- Tennessee Court Dismisses Suit Against County That Allowed Mosque Project
Volume 46 (May 2011)
- Conviction in Massachusetts Church Burning
- Civil Rights Division Closes Investigation of Unequal Treatment of Florida Church in Response to Zoning Change
- Civil Rights Division Closes Frederick, Maryland, RLUIPA Investigation After Zoning Law Amended to Treat Religious Assemblies Equally
- Consent Decree Entered in Jewish Boarding School Case
- United States Files Brief Supporting Los Angeles Synagogue in Long-Running RLUIPA Dispute
- Fair Housing Act Covers Homeless Shelters, but Religious Exemption Applies to Faith Based Program, United States Argues
- Justice Department Files Suit to Protect Prisoners' Access to Religious Texts
- Brief Filed in Kosher Meal Case
- Civil Rights Division Files RLUIPA Brief Supporting Native American Prisoners in Alabama
Volume 45 (March 2011)
- DOJ Files RLUIPA Suit on Behalf of Sikh Inmate
- Court Holding Facility is Covered by RLUIPA, En Banc Court Rules
- Sentencing in Ohio Church Arson
- Texas Man Pleads Guilty in Arson of Mosque Playground
- Guilty Pleas in California Synagogue and Church Vandalism Case
- Sentencing in Alabama Synagogue Desecration Case
- Exhaustion of Remedies not Required Under RLUIPA, Court Holds in Buddhist Worship Center Case
- Los Angeles Zoning Decision Against Jewish Congregation May be Reviewed in RLUIPA Suit, Federal Court Holds
Volume 44 (December 2010)
- United States Sues School Over Refusal to Accommodate Teacher's Pilgrimage
- Court Rejects Neighbors’ Challenge that Mosque is not a Place of Worship
- United States Files Brief in Long-Running RLUIPA Case in Los Angeles
- United States Settles Discrimination Suit Involving Religious Headscarf
- Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Church Arson
Volume 43 (September 2010)
- Indictment in Ohio Church Arson
- Justice Department Files RLUIPA Discrimination Lawsuit Against California City
- Consent Decree Reached in Religious Discrimination Suit Against Restaurant
- Justice Department Marks Tenth Anniversary of RLUIPA, Issues Policy Statement
Volume 42 (June 2010)
- Consent Decree Allows Jewish Shabbos House to Remain in Village
- Guilty Pleas In Massachusetts Church Arson Case
- DOJ Investigation Closed After Oregon Repeals Religious Clothing Ban
- Last Two Defendants Sentenced in Tennessee Mosque Arson
- Guilty Plea in Alabama Synagogue Desecration; Sentencing Set
Volume 41 (March 2010)
- Federal Court Permits Religious Headscarf Accommodation Suit to Proceed
- Investigation of Zoning Denial of Buddhist Temple Closed After Settlement
- Update on Sentencings in Tennessee Mosque Arson
Volume 40 (Fall 2009)
- Third Guilty Plea In Tennessee Mosque Arson
- DOJ Closes Inquiry After Georgia Courts Change Religious Headcoverings Policy
- City’s Old Town District Cannot Exclude Religious Organizations, U.S. Appeals Brief Argues
- United States Settles Homeowners’ Insurance Discrimination Case
Volume 39 (June - July 2009)
- Suit Filed Against County that Barred Corrections Worker from Wearing Headscarf
- “Shabbos House” Suit May Proceed, Court Rules
- Catholic Prisoner Had Right to Vegetarian Diet, Appeals Court Rules
Volume 38 (March - May 2009)
- Fair Housing Act Covers Allegations in Mezuzah Suit, United States Tells En Banc Seventh Circuit
- United States’ Religious Discrimination Case on Behalf of New York City Transit Workers Should Move Forward, Brief Argues
- Justice Department Settles Housing Discrimination Suit Against New Jersey Apartment Complex
Volume 37 (January/February 2009)
- Civil Rights Division Settles Religious Discrimination Suit Against Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
- DOJ Settles Suit Alleging Zoning Discrimination By Nashville Against Faith-Based Substance Abuse Program
- Indictments in Massachusetts Election-Night Church Arson
- United States Says Court Erred in Dismissing Mezuzah Fair Housing Suit
Volume 36 (November 2008)
- Guilty Pleas in Tennessee Mosque Arson
- DOJ Suit Alleging Village’s Discrimination Against Jewish Boarding Schools May Move Forward, Court Rules
- DOJ Files Lawsuit Against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for Religious and Disability Discrimination
Volume 35 (September/October 2008)
- Civil Rights Division Files Religious Discrimination Suit Against Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
- Civil Rights Division Files Brief Supporting Catholic Prisoner’s Right to Vegetarian Diet
- Guilty Pleas Entered for Interference with Massachusetts Muslim Families’ Housing Rights
- North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Sending for Email Threats To Islamic and Latino Organizations
- Keynote Address Explores Relationship of Religious Liberty and Religious Diversity in America
Volume 34 (July/August 2008)
- Former State Department Employee Receives Prison Sentence for Threats Against Arab-American Institute Employees
- State May Not Discriminate Against Religious Universities in Scholarship Program, Appeals Court Rules
- Revised Decision Issued in San Diego Boy Scout Case; Second Rehearing Petition Filed
Volume 33 (May/June 2008)
- Guilty Plea in Anti-Christian Arson Case
- Boston Man Indicted for Threat Against Iranian Woman
- DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After City Amends Zoning Code and Allows Church to Meet in Former Moose Lodge
Volume 32 (March/April 2008)
- Civil Rights Charges Brought in Tennessee Mosque Arson Case
- School Board Unlawfully Discriminated Against Church’s Speech, Brief Argues
- DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After Illinois Village Allows Mosque Expansion
- Final First Freedom Project Regional Seminar for 2008 Slated for Boston
Volume 31 (January/February 2008)
- Three Men Charged in Tennessee Mosque Burning
- Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to FBI in Jewish Bias Attack Case
- Justice Department Settles Muslim Corrections Officer Religious Liberty Case
- Consent Decree Entered Requiring Equal Treatment of Religious Institutions
- Religious Freedom Seminar to be Held in Atlanta
Volume 30 (December 2007)
- DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After County Allows Church’s Adult Education Classes to Continue
- West Virginia to Allow Scholarship Deferment for Student Missionary
- Third Circuit Clarifies RLUIPA’s “Equal Terms” Provision
- First Freedom Seminar to be Held in Washington, D.C. on January 30
Volume 29 (November 2007)
- Oregon White Supremacist Sentenced for Rock Attack on Synagogue
- Sentencing in Philadelphia Workplace Threat Case
- Seventh Circuit Rules Church Must Be Permitted to Locate in Commercial Zone on Same Basis As Secular Assemblies
- New York Village Ban on Shabbos House Violates RLUIPA, DOJ Argues
- Upcoming First Freedom Project Seminars
Volume 28 (October 2007)
- Second Circuit Finds Jewish School’s Rights Were Violated in Zoning Permit Denial, Upholds Constitutionality of RLUIPA
- Federal Court Rules Taking of Mosque’s Land May Violate RLUIPA
- "Pervasively Sectarian" Scholarship Ban Conflicts with Constitution, Brief Argues
- Religious Freedom Seminar Slated for Los Angeles
Volume 27 (August/September 2007)
- Consent Decree Entered in Florida Sabbath Accommodation Case
- Mormon Scholarship Recipient Denied Equal Treatment, Brief Argues
- Zoning Authorities Cannot Bar Church From Zone Where Secular Assemblies Are Permitted, United States Argues to Seventh Circuit
- Registration Still Open for September 19 Religious Freedom Seminar in Chicago
Volume 26 (June/July 2007)
- Philadelphia Woman Pleads Guilty to Sending Threat to Muslim Supervisor
- Township’s Taking of Mosque’s Property Implicates RLUIPA, United States Argues
- Second Circuit Sends Bronx Household of Faith Back to Lower Court
- First Freedom Project Seminar to be Held in Chicago
Volume 25 (May 2007)
- Civil Rights Division Settles Muslim Student Prayer Case
- Settlement Reached in Wisconsin Student Fees Case
- Criminal Charges Filed Over Workplace Threat Targeting Muslim-American Woman
- Next First Freedom Project Seminars Announced
Volume 24 (April 2007)
- Oregon White Supremacist Sentenced to 11 Years in Synagogue Attack
- Indianapolis Must Give Equal Treatment to Churches in Commercial District, Civil Rights Division Argues
- Seventh Circuit Dismisses Challenge to Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill
- Tampa Seminar Draws Diverse Audience
Volume 23 (March/April 2007)
- DOJ Sues New York Corrections Department Over Refusal to Make Religious Accommodations
- Assistant Attorney General Kim Argues For Expansive Reading of RLUIPA’s Anti-Discrimination Protections
- Inaugural First Freedom Project Regional Seminar Held in Kansas City
- DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After Church Obtains Zoning Approval
Volume 22 (January/February 2007)
- Attorney General Announces New DOJ Initiative: The First Freedom Project
- California School District Modifies Policies to Permit Excused Absences for Religious Holidays
- Ninth Circuit Certifies Boy Scouts Case to California Supreme Court, But Petition for En Banc Rehearing is Pending
Volume 21 (November/December 2006)
- Censoring Religious Song at School Talent Show Unconstitutional, Federal Court Rules
- Settlement Reached in Church Eminent Domain Case
- United States Brief Argues That Village Interfered with Orthodox Jews’ Religious Obligation to Visit the Sick
- United States Files Brief to Protect Florida Zoning Discrimination Settlement
Volume 20 (October 2006)
- United States Files Civil Rights Suit Over Village Barring of Orthodox Jewish Shabbos House
- Michigan Court Finds that School Discriminated Against Student’s Religious Speech
- Appeals Court Rules that Public Library May Exclude Religious Group Seeking Equal Access to Community Room
Volume 19 (August/September 2006)
- Guilty Pleas, Sentencing in Synagogue Attack Case
- Ninth Circuit Rules Sikh Congregation’s Rights Violated by Zoning Action; Upholds Constitutionality of RLUIPA
- Consent Decree Reached in Ohio Religious Accommodation Suit
- DOJ Files RLUIPA Brief in Jewish Day School Case
Volume 18 (June/July 2006)
- Consent Decree Reached in Synagogue Discrimination Case
- DOJ Defends Student’s Right to Sing Religious Song
- DOJ Files Brief Clarifying the Equal Terms Provision of RLUIPA
- DOJ Again Supports Bronx Household of Faith’s Appeal to the Second Circuit
Volume 17 (April/May 2006)
- Appeals Court Reinstates Sabbath Accommodation Suit
- Florida Court Permits Synagogue Discrimination Suit to Go Forward
- Seizing Churches’ Land Through Zoning Plan Can Violate RLUIPA, Brief Argues
- Georgia Church Project Approved; Civil Rights Division Closes Investigation into 3-Acre Restriction for Churches
- Religious Bias Crime Update
Volume 16 (February/March 2006)
- Civil Rights Division Argues Boy Scouts Can Participate in City Lease Program; Acknowledgment of God Does Not Make Scouts a Religious Organization
- Guilty Plea, Sentencings in Bias Crime Cases
- City Reverses Course and Allows Church to Build After DOJ Opens Investigation
- Hearing Held in RLUIPA Case Alleging Discrimination Against Hasidic Jews
Volume 15 (December 2005/January 2006)
- Indiana School District Agrees to Give Students Excused Absences for Religious Holidays
- Guilty Plea in Temple Attack
- Consent Decree Reached in Housing Harassment Case
- Division Supports Equal Access to Library Community Room
- Brief Contends that Higher Education Scholarship Program Unconstitutionally Discriminates Against Religion
Volume 14 (October/November 2005)
- Salvation Army’s Government Contracts Do Not Waive its Religious Freedom Protection, Court Rules
- DOJ Obtains Consent Decree in Bus Driver Religious Accommodation Case
- Federal Court Permanently Bars New York City School Board’s Discrimination Against Religious Speech
- Guilty Pleas in Detroit Mosque Threat Cases
- United States Argues that Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill Does Not Violate Constitution
- United States Urges Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to Uphold Constitutionality of RLUIPA
Volume 13 (August/September 2005)
- Suit Alleges Religious Discrimination in Ohio Union Fee Rules
- Division Defends Student’s Right to Observe Religious Holidays
- Guilty Plea in Washington Cross Burning
Volume 12 (June/July 2005)
- Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of RLUIPA
- Sentencing in Firebomb Attack on Mosque
- DOJ Suit Alleges Township Discriminated Against Jewish School
- Town Changes Ordinance that Discriminated Against Churches in Response to DOJ Investigation
- Brief Filed in Sabbath Accommodation Case
- New Religious Freedom Publications Available from the Department of Justice
Volume 11 (April/May 2005)
- DOJ Asks Court to Permanently Bar New York Public Schools From Religious Discrimination
- Sentencing in Cemetery Desecration Case
- Civil Rights Division Suit Claims Florida City Discriminated Against Synagogue
Volume 10 (March 2005)
- Community College Reverses Ban on The Passion of the Christ After DOJ Intervention
- Civil Rights Division Settles Muslim Student Harassment Case
- Civil Rights Division Defends Michigan Student’s Religious Expression in “Candy-Cane” Case
- Maui to Permit Church Construction; Suit Dismissed at U.S. Request
Volume 9 (January/February 2005)
- Civil Rights Division Supports Boy Scouts' Right to Use Parkland
- Seventh Circuit RLUIPA Victory
- Brief Filed in Florida School Choice Case
- Civil Rights Division Closes Investigation After City Grants Synagogue Permit
- Religious Bias Crimes Update
Volume 8 (November/December 2004)
- Texas City Agrees to Equal Access for Religious Groups
- California Court Holds Religious-Speech Fee Unconstitutional
- Morton Grove, IL, Grants Special Use Permit for School After DOJ Mediation
- Supplemental Brief Filed In Salvation Army Case
- Focus on Religious Bias Crimes
Volume 7 (October 2004)
- Federal Appeals Court Upholds Equal Access for New Jersey Good News Club
- Civil Rights Division Defends California Good News Club's Right to Equal Access
- Civil Rights Division Files Religious Discrimination Suit Against New York MTA
- Follow-Up: Guilty Plea in Mosque E-mail Threat Case
Volume 6 (August/September 2004)
- Civil Rights Division Defends Constitutionality of Salvation Army Programs
- Texas City Council Changes Course and Permits Church Construction After DOJ Investigation
- Civil Rights Division Files Brief in RLUIPA Appeal
- Civil Rights Division Files Title VII Suit Against Los Angeles Transportation Authority for Failure to Accommodate Sabbath
Volume 5 (June/July 2004)
- Court Upholds Right of Good News Clubs to Distribute Flyers and Permission Slips
- Guilty Pleas in Church Desecration Case
- Supreme Court Reverses Lower Court Invalidation of Pledge, Sidesteps Constitutionality Question
- Brief Filed in Support of Congregation in Land-Use Dispute
- Morton Grove, IL, Settles Lawsuit with School After DOJ Mediation
Volume 4 (May 2004)
- Court Enters Consent Decree Guaranteeing Muslim Girl's Right to Wear Headscarf to School
- Appeals Court Rules Florida City Discriminated Against Orthodox Jewish Congregations
- USA PATRIOT Act Leads to Arrest in Bias Crime Against El Paso Mosque
- Conviction of Tallahassee Mosque Attacker Upheld
Volume 3 (April 2004)
- Civil Rights Division Intervenes in Suit to Protect Muslim Student's Right to Wear Headscarf to Public School
- Constitutionality of Church-Arson Prevention Act Upheld
- Civil Rights Division Anticipates Decisions in Two Good News Club Cases
Volume 2 (March 2004)
- Civil Rights Division Submits Brief Defending the Boy Scouts' Right to Use City Land in San Diego; Court Refuses to Accept it
- Civil Rights Division Brief Defends Constitutionality of Title VII
- Civil Rights Division Closes Pennsylvania Religious Zoning Discrimination Investigation
- Church Arson Act's Constitutionality Defended
- Supreme Court Reverses Ninth Circuit in Locke v. Davey
Volume 1 (February 2004)
- Title VII's Religious Accommodation Provisions Vindicated
- Seniors May Pray Again at Texas Senior Center
- Division Argues that Town Violated Rights of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
- Focus on RLUIPA
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