A Victory for Religious Freedom: Marie Can Say “Merry Christmas”

At the ACLJ, we are dedicated to defending the constitutional liberties of individuals across the nation. Today, we are thrilled to share a significant victory for religious freedom, achieved on behalf of our client, Marie.

You may remember Marie, she prints a helpful newsletter at her senior apartment complex.  As Christmas approached, she decided she wanted to extend a greeting in the newsletter. Her efforts to include other holidays got her nowhere, and she was asked to stop sharing her newsletter after she added “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa!”  Marie was understandably confused and concerned about the legality of these restrictions, so she reached out to us. We realized that this policy was overly restrictive and infringed on her rights to free speech and religious expression. Determined to help, we took immediate action.

We sent a demand letter to her apartment complex, outlining the legal violations under the Fair Housing Act. We asked the apartment complex to ensure that its policy on written materials, such as Marie’s newsletters, allowed her to use the word “Bible,” “Christmas,” and any other terms she wanted to use. We emphasized that the restrictions it placed on her religious speech were not only unfair but also illegal under federal law.

We are pleased to report that Cirrus Asset Management, the owners of Riverside Landing, after reading our letter responded promptly and positively. In a written assurance, they confirmed that Marie is allowed to post her newsletter with her desired content on the community bulletin board and distribute it to other residents. Marie does not need to submit her newsletter for pre-approval from management, and she may include references to whatever events she likes. We commend Cirrus for their willingness to engage with the ACLJ and address this issue swiftly and fairly. Their cooperation ensured that Marie's rights were upheld without further conflict, demonstrating a commendable commitment to respecting the diverse beliefs of all residents.

Marie has let us know that thanks to the help of her local community, the newsletter is already back up and running! This victory is a testament to the importance of standing up for our constitutional rights. It also underscores the vital role that the ACLJ plays in protecting these freedoms. We are proud to have been able to assist Marie quickly and decisively to secure a positive outcome for her and other residents at Riverside Landing.

As we celebrate this success, we encourage you to support the ACLJ in our ongoing efforts to defend religious liberty and other fundamental rights. Your contributions enable us to continue our work and make a difference in the lives of individuals like Marie.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight for justice and freedom.