Articles

Indiana lawsuit over Pledge of Allegiance dismissed

A federal judge in Terre Haute has dismissed a lawsuit that accused a western Indiana elementary school principal and a teacher of violating a student’s constitutional rights by forcing him to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Indiana Court Decisions — March 15-28, 2018

7th Circuit Court of Appeals March 21 Civil Plenary — Establishment Clause Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Concord Community Schools 17-1591, 17-1683 An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading […]

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Despite ‘role of Grinch,’ 7th Circuit won’t stop Christmas show

An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading role in a revival, won the reluctant blessing of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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ACLU reminder: student protesters have rights

In advance of Wednesday’s National School Walkout, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is reminding public school administrators, principals and school board members that students have First Amendment rights.

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Gerrymandering challenges keep rising

Attorneys at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP are part of the legal team representing Michigan voters who filed a complaint in December over partisan gerrymandering. The suit brought to seven the number of such challenges filed since 2016 and fueled hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule the practice unconstitutional and offer guidance for how to draw district lines.

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RFRA’s unintended consequences

Indiana Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was signed by then-Gov. Mike Pence on March 26, 2015. An amendment was then signed the following month. Since, RFRA has been cited in a few unexpected ways.

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Church of Cannabis seeks sanctuary in RFRA; Hill asks court to rule for state

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has asked a court to rule in the state’s favor against what he calls “a small group of marijuana enthusiasts operating in Indianapolis under the name ‘First Church of Cannabis.’” An attorney for the church said he was thrilled at Hill’s response to its lawsuit on religious freedom grounds.

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