The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is reporting that the transgender cake case against Christian baker Jack Phillips is being dropped.
ADF says it was nothing more than anti-religious “harassment” that came even though Phillips had just won his previous case at the US Supreme Court.
Members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC) who had come after Phillips have now been exposed by what ADF called “overwhelming evidence” of clear hostility toward religious freedom.
The US Supreme Court had already ruled in the previous case that was brought against Phillips by CCRC that governments and state officials cannot show religious hostility in their decisions. Now there’s new evidence that’s what CCRC was doing with their second legal attack against him.
“The state of Colorado is dismissing its case against Jack, stopping its six and a half years of hostility toward him for his beliefs,” said ADF Senior Vice President of US Legal Division Kristen Waggoner, who had argued on behalf of Phillips at the US Supreme Court.
“Jack’s victory is great news for everyone. Tolerance and respect for good-faith differences of opinion are essential in a diverse society like ours,” Waggoner continued. “But the state’s demonstrated and ongoing hostility toward Jack because of his beliefs is undeniable.”
One commissioner had already been exposed for calling Phillips a “hater” on Twitter. And former commissioner Diann Rice had called religious freedom “a despicable piece of rhetoric,” prompting the US Supreme Court to rule against the Colorado commission for its anti-religious bigotry.
Now ADF attorneys have uncovered statements from a 2018 public meeting in which two commissioners voiced support for those comments.
For example, Commissioner Carol Fabrizio said, “I also very much stand behind Commissioner Rice’s statements…. I was actually proud of what she said, and I agree with her…. I’m almost glad that something the Commissioner said ended up public and used, because I think it was the right thing.”
Commissioner Diann Rice (2015-07-25) from ADF Media Relations on Vimeo:
With that anti-religious sentiment exposed, the Colorado Attorney General is dropping the case against Jack.
“We’re pleased that the state will be dismissing its case against Jack,” said Waggoner. “This is the second time the state has launched a failed effort to prosecute him. While it finally appears to be getting the message that its anti-religious hostility has no place in our country, the state’s decision to target Jack has cost him more than six-and-a-half years of his life, forcing him to spend that time tied up in legal proceedings.”
ADF Senior Counsel Jim Campbell added, “He shouldn’t be driven out of business just because some people disagree with his religious beliefs and his desire to live consistently with them. We look forward to the day when Jack doesn’t have to fear government punishment for his faith or harassment from people who oppose his beliefs.”