DENVER – To conclude a lawsuit brought by Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, the state of Colorado has agreed to pay more than $1.5 million in attorneys’ fees for violating the First Amendment rights of graphic artist Lorie Smith and her design studio, 303 Creative. This fee settlement comes after the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling in 303 Creative v. Elenis upholding free speech for all Americans and the district court’s final judgment requiring Colorado officials to comply with the First Amendment and allow Smith to speak consistently with her beliefs. 

PASADENA, Calif. – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing an Oregon youth ministry will be available for media interviews Wednesday following oral arguments at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Youth 71Five Ministries, which serves at-risk youth, is challenging state officials who stripped the ministry of previously approved funds simply because it asks employees and volunteers to sign a statement of faith. In August, the 9th Circuit allowed 71Five Ministries to receive needed funds from the state as the appeal proceeds. 

ADF Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch:  “Doctors and nurses shouldn’t be forced to violate their consciences and their religious beliefs as the price of practicing medicine—especially when those are the very beliefs that lead so many people to enter the healing profession. Health care professionals’ oath to ‘do no harm’ directly conflicts with abortion, which ends the life of the unborn child and harms the child’s mother....”