Federal Court Jury Finds Local Government Engaged in Religious Discrimination

ACLJ Secures Victory for Local Ministry

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 11, 2008—Sometimes, the little guy wins.  Today, The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) secured a federal court jury verdict in favor of its client, Teen Challenge and a jury award of nearly one million dollars.  The jury found that the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County violated the rights of the religiously-based organization.  The ACLJ filed a federal lawsuit last year after government officials enacted an ordinance targeting Teen Challenge and reversing an earlier approval giving Teen Challenge the go-ahead to use 13 acres of land it purchased to expand its Christian-based residential treatment facility for young people suffering from addiction.

In a sweeping decision that concluded a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Nashville, a federal district court jury awarded damages to Teen Challenge totaling $967,995 and found that government officials violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

"This is an incredible victory for Teen Challenge and for the rights of religious organizations," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, which represented Teen Challenge in the case.  "This jury verdict sends a powerful message that religious discrimination by government officials simply won't be tolerated.  The size of the jury award also sends a message that there's a hefty price to pay for those who discriminate against religious organizations.  We're delighted with the outcome of this case and are pleased that the mission and work of Teen Challenge can now move forward."

The ACLJ filed suit in June 2007 in U.S. District Court in Nashville for the Middle District of Tennessee after the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County revoked its approval of Teen Challenge's request for zoning to use the land and enacted an ordinance that specifically discriminated against Teen Challenge.  Since Teen Challenge could no longer use the 13 acres for its intended purposes, the ministry auctioned off the property.

ACLJ Senior Counsel Larry Crain, who litigated the case on behalf of Teen Challenge, said the jury agreed with the ACLJ on all counts.  "This jury understood that it is simply unacceptable for a city to violate the Equal Protection Clause of the constitution and its verdict underscores the fact that cities that do participate in this type of religious discrimination must be held accountable.  This verdict enables Teen Challenge to find a new location and continue its excellent commitment to helping young people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.  The ACLJ's online newsroom, which includes downloadable, high-res images and bios of principals, can be found at www.DeMossNewsPond.com/aclj.

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