U.S. Department
of Justice
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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Updated November 16, 2021