ADF attorney available to media after hearing in La. 'two hours of free speech' case
Southeastern Louisiana University police prohibit Christian speaker from expressing beliefs, even during allotted ‘free speech’ time
WHO: ADF Litigation Counsel Jonathan Scruggs
WHAT: Available for media interviews after hearing in Sonnier v. Southeastern Louisiana University
WHEN: Tuesday, March 3, immediately following hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. CST
WHERE: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 500 Poydras St., Courtroom 501, New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — Alliance Defense Fund Litigation Counsel Jonathan Scruggs will be available for media interviews following a hearing Tuesday in which he will ask the court to allow a Christian man to exercise his speech rights while his lawsuit against Southeastern Louisiana Universitycontinues. ADF attorneys filed suit last November against school officials on behalf of Jeremy Sonnier after he was stopped from sharing his faith on campus during the two hours of “free speech” time allotted to outside speakers each week.
“Speakers shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their religious beliefs on public university campuses,” said Scruggs. “If Southeastern Louisiana University and other institutions of higher education in America still wish to be considered a marketplace of ideas, they should not enforce speech policies that violate the First Amendment.”
After arriving at SLU to engage in conversation with others about their faith at a campus location approved for outside speakers, Sonnier and his three friends were told by campus police that they needed a permit for such activity, including literature distribution. School officials stated a permit application must be filed seven days prior to engaging in free speech, which is only allowed during a two-hour time block every seven days.
At the hearing, Scruggs will ask the court to grant a motion for preliminary injunction to keep SLU from unconstitutionally blocking Sonnier’s free speech as the trial proceeds.
- Fact sheet on the lawsuit
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.