Earlier this year, we made a commitment to win back religious exemptions in every state where they’ve been lost. Today we took yet another step toward keeping that promise, as we are proud to announce that we have filed a federal lawsuit against the Ventura, California school district and California state officials for expelling a student who exercised a religious exemption to the school vaccinations.
But in this case, it didn’t end with mere removal from school. The Ventura County Prosecutor’s office saw fit to take things a step further, charging the parents with truancy. That’s right, the school created the problem by kicking the student out against his (and his parents’) will in January, and then turned around and charged the parents with truancy for not sending him to school. And to add further insult to injury, the school has now given this high-achiever honors student failing grades in all of his courses. Just when you thought things couldn’t get more outrageous, California found a way to top itself.
You can read our filed complaint in full here.
Read our emergency application for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction here.
And, due in part to this very outrageousness, we believe that this case has the best chance yet to restore religious exemptions in California – and, if we are heard at the U.S. Supreme Court – the nation. More precisely, this case demonstrates most clearly California’s hostility to those with sincere religious convictions against vaccinations. What else could it be to halt a student’s academic progress mid-year, fail him in every class, and then seek to criminally punish the parents? The U.S. Supreme Court has made clear that the government’s hostility to religious beliefs violates the First Amendment (see Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission), and it’s hard to argue that this isn’t hostility. That’s why, in addition to our complaint, we are seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to immediately halt this discriminatory conduct.
So to all the California families who have waited for what seems like an eternity to regain their rights – to an education, and to freely exercise their religious beliefs – this one’s for you. This should have never happened in the first place. We want you to know that We The Patriots USA stands with the families of California, and we will not stop until we have exhausted every possible avenue to win back your rights. That’s why We The Patriots USA is also the lead plaintiff in this lawsuit, to represent all of our members affected by these egregious violations.
We ask for your prayers as we head into battle, and – if you are able to do so – your support of our mission. We have already incurred thousands of dollars in legal expenses just to get this complaint filed. Please prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible gift to our mission, so that we can continue to fight for California, and for all of the other states that are battling to win back what are not only exemptions, but Constitutional and human rights. Since we do not charge our clients any legal fees, we rely solely on the generous contributions of our supporters to continue this vital work.
Today, with this latest lawsuit, we’ve taken a stand for California. We hope you’ll stand with us.
Read more about this story here.