DC court protects freedom of religious groups on campus

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Bowman, director of regulatory practice, regarding a decision Wednesday from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Secular Student Alliance v. U.S. Department of Education protecting the First Amendment freedoms of religious student groups on college campuses:

“Universities are meant to be a marketplace of ideas where students can learn to respect diverse opinions and beliefs and not have to fear punishment or harassment because of their own values. The Department of Education under President Trump rightfully updated its regulations to ensure that institutions of higher education have policies that align with the First Amendment. Christian student group Ratio Christi has at least twice gone to court over discriminatory policies targeted at their beliefs, and the Department of Education updated its regulations to prevent these types of violations. We’re pleased the court upheld First Amendment freedoms for college students everywhere.”

ADF attorneys asked to intervene and filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case on behalf of Ratio Christi, a nationwide Christian apologetics organization.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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