Press Release

August 17, 2017

     ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, today announces that the closing chapter in a lawsuit has ended with a victory for Bill Donohue and free speech, as the time for appealing TMLC’s win in the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court has passed.

     Bill Donohue, President and CEO of the Catholic League, is considered by most Americans as the fiercest defender of the Catholic Church in the world. He is often called to appear on national TV to respond to controversial attacks made against the Church. So, when he asked the Thomas More Law Center to defend   him and the Catholic League in a defamation lawsuit filed because of comments in a press release, without hesitation we agreed.
     Beginning in 2014, the case wound its way through both the state and federal courts. On April 18, 2017, the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued its opinion affirming a lower court decision which ruled in favor of Bill Donohue and the Catholic League by dismissing all claims in the lawsuit, including the defamation claim. The 90-day window for asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decision has now lapsed.
You can read the 8th Circuit Court opinion here.
      Erin Mersino, who handled the case on behalf of the Thomas More Law Center always contended that lawsuit filed by Jon David Couzens, Jr. lacked legal merit and required dismissal. Although she no longer works for TMLC, Erin recently commented on the final end of case: “The plaintiff’s decision not to appeal the case further vindicates this important victory for free speech. The Thomas More Law Center and the Catholic League are two heroic organizations that vigorously fight for religious freedom in our culture today. It has been a true honor representing Bill Donohue, the President and tenacious captain of the Catholic League.”
     The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

August 10, 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, today announced that Cardinal Raymond Burke, who is viewed as a leading traditionalist and conservative within the Catholic Church, endorsed the Thomas More Law Center, for its “most important service for the restoration of Christian culture.”  The extraordinary endorsement was transmitted in a letter, dated July 26, 2017, to Richard Thompson, the President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center.

Text of Cardinal Burke’s Endorsement

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“During these difficult times in which we are living, in which secularization has ravaged the culture of our homeland, alienating culture from its only true source in God and His plan for the world, the Thomas More Law Center provides a most important service for the restoration of Christian culture by promoting the sanctity of human life, defending religious liberty, and protecting the good of the family. Through the intercession of its holy patron, may the Thomas More Law Center courageously continue to serve the true good of our beloved homeland of the United States of America.”

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Thompson commented, “We are deeply honored and profoundly grateful to Cardinal Burke for his uncompromising defense of America’s traditional Judeo-Christian culture and moral values, and for his unprecedented endorsement of the Thomas More Law Center.”

In June 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Burke as the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy See’s highest court. He was the first American named to head the Tribunal and became the second highest ranking prelate at the Vatican.  However, in 2014 he was removed from that position by Pope Francis.

Regarded as a leading traditionalist within the Church, Cardinal Burke is a courageous and outspoken defender of the Catholic Faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Cardinal Burke’s views on key issues facing American culture and Western Civilization, are shared by the Thomas More Law Center and traditional Christians of all denominations.

On Islam . . .          

In a 2016 interview with Italian newspaper, II Gioranle, Cardinal Burke stated:

“It is clear that Muslims have as their ultimate goal conquest and power over the world.”

“Islam, through sharia, their law, will rule the world and permit violence against infidels, such as Christians.  But we find it hard to recognize this reality and to respond by defending the Christian faith.”

“Many people do not understand what Islam really is.  They created these slogans: we all believe in the same God, we are all united by love and so on.  It’s not true.”

On Same-sex marriage . . .
In a November 10, 2013 interview with The Wanderer, Cardinal Burke said that same-sex marriage . . .

           
“. . . is a work of deceit, a lie about the most fundamental aspect of our human nature, our human sexuality, which, after life itself, defines us. There is only one place these types of lies come from, namely Satan. It is a diabolical situation which is aimed at destroying individuals, families, and eventually our nation.”

On Abortion . . .

In a March 2, 2009 Interview with the founder of ‘Operation Rescue’, Cardinal Burke stated:

“The service of the Church in the world of today has to begin first and foremost with the protection of the life of those who are the most defenseless and the most innocent, namely the unborn.”

In his January 22, 2017, sermon on the Roe v. Wade Anniversary Mass, Cardinal   Burke stated:

“We recognize in that decision of the highest court of our nation a rebellion against God and His Law written upon every human heart in its first and most fundamental tenet: to safeguard and to foster human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.”  

In March 2009, Burke called on American bishops to withhold the Eucharist from Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion. The bishop’s failure to do so, Burke said, “is weakening the faith of everyone. It’s giving the impression that it must be morally correct to support procured abortion.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

August 7, 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI – Continuing its legal battle to stop the federal government from taking control over our nation’s elementary and secondary public schools, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, last week filed a petition in the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to review a South Dakota Supreme Court decision which upheld South Dakota’s participation in a consortium of states that advance the Common Core curriculum.

The petition for review involves a lawsuit by 2 South Dakota mothers, Shelli Grinager and Amber Mauricio, who filed the lawsuit in state court challenging the constitutionality of their state’s implementation of Common Core through its participation in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. TMLC and local counsel, Robert J. Rohl, filed the lawsuit on November 10, 2015, on their behalf alleging a violation of the Compact Clause of the United States Constitution art. I, § 3, which provides that, “No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, . . . enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State . . .”

Kate Oliveri, the TMLC staff attorney who argued the case before the South Dakota Supreme Court and the principle author of the Petition, commented,

“This case could have a significant impact in curtailing our behemoth executive branch and diverting the power back where it belongs—to the States and to the people. South Dakota has lost control over the education of its children. We want to give that control back.”

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were developed under the supervision of the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to ensure that education and educational outcomes were consistent across the United States. The CCSS provides a set of standards they claim are “essential, rigorous, clear and specific, coherent, and internationally benchmarked.”

Most state governments, enticed by millions of dollars in federal grants, voluntarily acquiesced to federal control of their public schools, imposing untested educational standards and the curriculum designed to meet those standards on children and their parents. However, the CCSS have been under heavy fire since the beginning for a variety of grievances including: incomprehensible, political and inappropriate assignments; costly ties to big corporations; in-test advertising; the elimination of locally tailored and appropriate standards; and the emphasis placed on standardized testing.

TMLC’s Petition makes the argument that Common Core undermines the sovereignty of member states and nonmember states, and undermines the authority of Congress.

For a good understanding of TMLC’s positon, you can read the 23-page Petition here.

Richard Thompson, TMLC’s President and Chief Counsel:

“The Federal government employs an insidious bureaucratic system, through which it directs what and how American students learn, and effectively eliminates the fundamental rights of parents to control the education of their children.”

Religious and private school educators have also criticized Common Core. In a statement, the Cardinal Newman Society, an organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of faithful Catholic education, said, “This school reform effort is nothing short of a revolution in how education is provided, relying on a technocratic, top-down approach to setting national standards that, despite claims to the contrary, will drive curricula, teaching texts, and the content of standardized tests. At its heart, the Common Core is a woefully inadequate set of standards in that it limits the understanding of education to a utilitarian ‘readiness for work’ mentality.”

Political Commentators Glenn Beck and Michelle Malkin repeatedly reported on the dangers of Common Core, with Malkin saying, “It’s about control, control and more control.”

Moreover, with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, whose educational value has not been demonstrated, also comes an alarming explosion of data mining within the classroom. Student data are stored in databases designed to follow students from their entry into schools in pre-Kindergarten up through their entry into the workforce. These databases, through a complicated network of contracts and agreements, can then be shared with the federal government, contractors, researchers and other outside agencies. Testing corporations can analyze the test data, produce recommendations for how to “remediate” student weaknesses, and then sell that information back to states and school districts.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

Restoring Family Values https://test2.premiumsupport365.com/key_issue/restoring-family-values/

August 1, 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI – In a settlement agreement, which reads more like an instrument of surrender, Bernards Township (“Township”), New Jersey officials agreed that, in addition to a $3.5 million payment to Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“ISBR”), residents and citizens of the Township are prohibited from commenting on “Islam” or “Muslims.” at the upcoming public hearing to approve the settlement.  Astonishingly, a federal judge approved the prohibition as a fully enforceable Order of the Court.

As a result of this suppression of speech, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday, filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court on behalf of Christopher and Loretta Quick. The lawsuit was filed by TMLC affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak. Mr. Hrycak was assisted by TMLC staff attorney, Tyler Brooks. The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge.

TMLC’s lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township’s settlement agreement constitutes a prior restraint on speech based on content, as well as, a violation of the Establishment Clause because it prefers Islam over other religions.  The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional; and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement.

Read TMLC’s entire Federal Complaint here.

The Quicks reside within 200 feet of the proposed mosque construction in a zoned residential area.  Yet, the settlement agreement prohibits them from describing the many unique features of Islamic worship which will impact design of the building, traffic density, water and sewage, traffic control problems, road construction, and parking arrangements. According to the settlement agreement, ISBR is permitted to make statements concerning Christians and Jews and their places of worship, but in contrast, the Agreement prohibits commentary relating to Islam or Muslims. In fact, ISBR has previously discussed the Christian and Jewish religions and their places of worship.   

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “As we have previously documented, ISBR has taken the extraordinary step of concealing significant links on their website to a radical group named by the federal government as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in America history, the Islamic Society of North America (“ISNA”).  ISNA is claimed by the Muslim Brotherhood as one of “our organizations.” According to internal documents seized by the FBI, the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy is to engage in a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within . . .” 

Thompson continued, “While claiming that the Township had a religious animus against Muslims, ISBR hid from the public view its animus toward Christians and Jews, by not only hiding anti-Christian and anti-Semitic verses published on its website, but also hiding its significant ties to ISNA. Instead of standing up to defend its citizens against ISBR’s hate-filled anti-Semitic and anti-Christian bias, the Township colluded with ISBR’s “Civilization Jihad” by capitulating to payment of millions of dollars to ISBR, allowing the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center in violation of zoning codes, and now even suppressing speech concerning Islam or Muslims at a public meeting.”

In March 2016, ISBR filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure.  And in November 2016, the United States represented by the U. S. Justice Department filed a second lawsuit against the Township on similar grounds. The settlement agreement covers both lawsuits.

Read the entire Settlement Agreement and Court Order here.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

July 25, 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI – A flurry of legal pleadings relating to Bernards Township’s sham hearings filed last week by the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), signaled that the Law Center will continue to fight against approval of a mosque in Bernards Township, New Jersey.

In March 2016, the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure.  A similar lawsuit was filed by the federal government a few months later.

On May 23, 2017, the Township Committee and the Township Planning Board held a public meeting in which they held a previously unannounced vote to enter into a settlement agreement relating to the two lawsuits filed against them.  The settlement agreements were matters of extraordinary public interest because they required the payment of $3.25 million dollars to a local mosque and its attorneys as well as a grant of a variance in the zoning ordinances to allow the mosque to be built. The public was not told of the terms of the settlement agreement or allowed to comment on the vote until after the vote had been taken. 

On May 25, 2017, the TMLC, through its New Jersey affiliate attorney, Michael Hrycak, filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey on behalf of Plaintiff, Cody Smith, under the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) for open and flagrant violations of that statute by the Township because they willfully sought to prevent public notice and comment on issues of profound public concern.  The lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township entered into an agreement to settle the case brought against it by the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge and the federal government, without ever disclosing to the public beforehand, the terms of the settlement agreements as required by the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).

On May 30, 2017, despite being notified of the State lawsuit seeking to void the settlement, the Township asked a federal judge to enter an order based on the settlement agreement, without telling him about this lawsuit. 

On June 13, 2017, apparently seeing that their earlier votes without public notice were infirm, the Township Board held a second vote, supposedly to ratify the earlier vote.  Then on June 21, 2017, the Township removed the state case to the Federal District Court.

TMLC attorney Jay Combs commented: “The hearings held by the Township after the OPMA violations, were really just sham proceedings to cover their deliberate violations of the law which prejudiced the public’s rights during the first hearing.  At the time of the second hearing on June 13th, they had already presented the signed settlement agreements to the federal judge and requested the judge to issue an order ratifying those agreements.  The second hearing was simply window-dressing because they had no choice but to vote to approve the settlements again.  The public deserves, and demands, more from their elected officials.” 

In their answer to TMLC’s State Complaint, the Township attempted to sweep their violations under the rug by alleging that, even if they violated the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act by voting on two settlement agreements without giving the public proper notice, those votes were later cured by what they called a de novo hearing on June 13, 2017 in which they voted again on the same settlement agreements.  The problem with that argument was that the settlement had already been presented to the federal judge and was already memorialized in a court order.  To show its disdain for the public, the Township informed the judge it has no legal obligation to allow public comments on the settlement agreements. 

Regarding the Township’s removal of the State case to the Federal District Court, TMLC filed a motion in Federal Court alerting the Court to the fact that the Township of Bernards, in their Answer to the TMLC lawsuit, has attempted to paper-over their violations of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) by holding the sham hearing.  

On the same day, the TMLC also asked the judge to send the State lawsuit back to the New Jersey state court, where it was originally filed, after the Township had removed the case from state court to federal court on June 21, 2017.  The TMLC pointed out to the federal Judge that the lawyers for the Township, although they knew of the TMLC lawsuit seeking to void the settlement agreements, ensnared him by presenting these voidable agreements to the Judge without disclosing to him that a lawsuit was pending, which raised serious questions about the legality of the agreements. 

The disturbing omissions of fact by the attorneys for the Township follows in the long and troubling pattern of the Township in the settlement of this case.   They have rushed toward a pre-ordained settlement while ignoring the laws requiring public communication and input and finally shoved the settlement down the throats of unwilling citizens.  The TMLC is vigorously defending the rights of Bernards Township citizens to a transparent and responsive Township government.  

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

 

July 20, 2017

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), last Friday, filed its Response in federal court opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed on behalf of the State of Tennessee challenging the federal government’s refugee resettlement program. TMLC brought the lawsuit under the Tenth Amendment against the federal government to stop a mandate requiring states to fund welfare services for refugees brought to the United States through the federal refugee resettlement program. The Tennessee General Assembly and two of its members, Sen. John Stevens and Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, are also named as plaintiffs.

The DOJ, in addition to arguing that the Tenth Amendment places no limits on the federal government’s appropriation of state funds to support immigration programs, also asserted that state officials and the General Assembly could not even challenge the federal government’s actions in court. TMLC’s response refuted these arguments, claiming the DOJ’s assertions would radically undermine state sovereignty and the right of state legislatures to spend state revenues according to the will of their constituents.

Taking a jab at the federal budget process, TMLC’s brief stated, “[u]nlike the federal government, the State of Tennessee must balance its budget.”

Read TMLCs Response Here

Tennessee Paper coverage of TMLC’s response

Current federal law favors refugees over other immigrants. While individuals seeking to immigrate through the regular immigration process must show proof of self-sufficiency and a support system, refugees have no such obligation. Additionally, while most immigrants are prohibited from receiving welfare services for years after immigrating, refugees are eligible for benefits immediately upon arrival in the United States. When the Refugee Act of 1980 was first enacted, the federal government reimbursed states for their acknowledged expenses in resettling refugees. Gradually, however, it forced that financial burden onto the states and now refuses to provide states any reimbursement of costs incurred as a result of the federal program.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.