Past Cases
Plano Vietnamese Baptist Church (PVBC), et al. v. City of Plano
Liberty Institute represented Pastor Le and the congregation in this church zoning case. Despite following all the proper procedures for purchasing the property, the church was denied occupancy because the property did not meet the city's 2-acre site requirement for churches. Members of the congregation had donated their life savings to buy the property only to be told by the city they could not meet there, even though the property originally was built as a church several years ago. In our lawsuit we demanded that the 2-acre rule be declared an unconstitutional ordinance that discriminates against small churches. We won. Watch the video of Pastor Le's amazing story.
Croft, et al. v. Governor of Texas
A lawsuit was filed against the State of Texas by an atheist who objected to the word "pray" in the Texas Moment of Silence Statute. Liberty Institute filed an amicus brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and presented oral arguments on behalf of a group of public school students to protect the state's law, which allows a minute of silence for students to pray, meditate or reflect. The statute was upheld in the Federal Court of Appeals.
Free Market Foundation, et al. v. David A. Reisman, et al.
Liberty Institute and its allied attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the Texas Ethics Commission in regards to a 1973 law regulating the selection process of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. The law made it a crime for citizens to speak out on the election of the Speaker of the House. Under the law, even private citizens could be fined or imprisoned if they attempted to weigh in on the process. Liberty Institute demanded in its lawsuit that the law be struck down as unconstitutional. We won in a significant decision protecting the First Amendment rights of all citizens.
Templo Bautista Nueva Jerusalen v. City of Duncanville
The City of Duncanville was using zoning laws to discriminate against the church to deny the congregation religious freedom to gather and hold services. After purchasing the building in the downtown area, the church was told a special use permit would be required in order to begin using the building for services. Templo Bautista applied for the permit, paid the necessary fees but was still denied use of the building because one land owner was opposed to the church being in the neighborhood. Liberty Institute sent a demand letter to the City and a new hearing was granted. Only then did the City agree to allow the church to occupy the building and begin to hold church services.
Pleasant Grove City et al. v. Summum
Liberty Institute filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court representing The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and a number of other national veterans groups defending veteran's memorials. The brief sought to overturn the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling which stated cities must allow all privately donated monuments in public areas, regardless of the monument's message or purpose, or not allow any monuments at all. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a city?s free speech which protect our clients, the veterans, and their memorials.
Collegiate Community Outreach (CCO) d/b/a UNT Chi Alpha, and Nathan Wesson v. City of Denton, et al.
Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit in federal court to protect CCO's First Amendment rights in this church zoning case. CCO is a religious ministry located in a residential area close to the University of North Texas campus. The City of Denton told the ministry they could no longer operate out of their current property in violation of zoning laws. After Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit, the City eventually changed their mind and allowed the ministry to continue operating.
Pastor Rick Barr and Philemon Homes, Inc. v City of Sinton
Liberty Institute represented a pastor and a Christian organization that provided housing and religious instruction to men after being released from prison for misdemeanor offenses. The city completely banned this organization from existing anywhere in its city limits. Liberty Institute argued at the Texas Supreme Court to reverse the decisions below. In a landmark decision, we won! Moreover, this case is historic in that it is the first in Texas history interpreting RFRA (the Texas Religious Freedoms Restoration Act) and is already being used as a model nationwide in protecting religious freedom.
Barrow v. Greenville I.S.D.
Mrs. Barrow, a 15-year teacher with her principal's certificate for 10 years, was told by the Superintendent that she could only have the assistant principalship for which she was recommended if she agreed to take her own children out of Christian school. When Mrs. Barrow explained her religious objections to removing her children, she was denied the position. Liberty Institute defended Ms. Barrow and the rights of Christian parents to choose religious education for their children without government retribution. The U.S. District Court in Dallas ruled that the right of parents to choose private education was not a fundamental right and thus ruled against Mrs. Barrow. Liberty Institute appealed and won a 3 to 0 reversal before the Federal Court of Appeals. Following a two-week jury trial, the jury found that the superintendent had violated Ms. Barrow's constitutional parental rights and awarded Ms. Barrow lost wages and punitive damages and ordered the superintendent to pay Liberty Institute fees. We won.
HEB Ministries v. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Tyndale Seminary was fined $173,000 by the state for using the word "seminary" and issuing theological degrees without receiving government approval. Liberty Institute filed suit in district court against the state for violating the U.S. and state constitutions. The suit, on behalf of Tyndale as well as other seminaries across the state, argued that government attempts to control the religious training of seminaries are unconstitutional. The Austin Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state and the case was appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. The Texas Supreme Court granted review and heard oral arguments from Liberty Institute. The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of Tyndale, in a landmark ruling, stating the law intrudes upon religious freedom protected by the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
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