Refusal

Texas Appellate Court Orders New Trial for Judge Hensley, Challenging Reprimand Over Same-Sex Wedding Refusal

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AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas appellate court has granted a new trial to Judge Dianne Hensley, who faced scrutiny for her refusal to officiate same-sex weddings. The Third Court of Appeals has ruled that Hensley can advance her legal challenge against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC). This ruling follows a prior decision by the Texas Supreme Court, which sent the case back to a lower court in June 2024. The Supreme Court directed the lower court to examine Hensley’s argument that the SCJC’s public reprimand infringed upon her deeply held religious convictions. Hensley’s … Read more

Legacy of Courage: A Young Black Lawyer’s Refusal to Conform Reshapes Our Understanding of Justice

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New York, NY – The layers of history echoing through the legal profession are tumultuous and polarized, marked by individuals who risked everything to understand the very laws that oppressed them. From enslaved individuals surreptitiously learning the legal codes of bondage to the young black girls braving hate-filled mobs to desegregate schools, these figures leveraged knowledge as a means of resistance, continuously striving for justice in an unjust system. Yet, today’s legal landscape paints a starkly different picture—one of potential moral capitulation as the profession appears increasingly intertwined with burgeoning authoritarian interests. Throughout recent years, … Read more

Detroit Casino Worker Wins $133K in Landmark COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Case

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Detroit, MI — A Detroit casino worker was awarded $133,000 by a jury after she refused to comply with her employer’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate due to her religious beliefs. The verdict marks a significant legal stance on the intersection of workplace policies, individual rights, and public health amid the ongoing pandemic. The casino worker, Leah Snyder, had filed a lawsuit against MGM Grand Detroit, contending that the company had infringed on her religious freedoms. According to court documents, Snyder, who was employed at the casino for over ten years as a cashier, declined the COVID-19 … Read more

Michigan Woman Awarded $12 Million After Losing Job Over Vaccine Exemption Refusal Based on Religious Beliefs

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Detroit, MI – A Detroit federal court jury awarded over $12 million to a former employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Friday, who was dismissed after she declined the COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. The substantial award includes $10 million in punitive damages. Lisa Domski, a longtime employee with over 30 years at Blue Cross, brought the case alleging religious discrimination when the company failed to honor her request for a vaccination exemption. Domski claimed her refusal to receive the vaccine was due to her Catholic beliefs, a position she maintained was … Read more