Appealing Our Case Defending a Church Ministry From Government Discrimination

By 

Christina Compagnone

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April 25, 2022

2 min read

Religious Liberty

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The ACLJ has appealed a case to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals defending a church-based ministry from unlawful discrimination by local zoning authorities. We won’t stop fighting for this crucial religious ministry that our client, Vision Warriors Church, Inc., provides to those in its community. As a ministry providing hope and support to individuals recovering from addiction, Vision Warriors is protected from discrimination under several federal laws including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act).

Vision Warriors is a faith community that seeks to transform men’s lives so that they can be better disciples, fathers, husbands, leaders, and friends. By transforming these men’s lives, Vision Warriors restores their family and other relationships within the community.

The Defendant in this case, Cherokee County, attempted to shut down Vision Warriors’ ministry through a series of discriminatory land use decisions. First, the County revoked Vision Warriors’ previously granted zoning certification and tenant occupancy permit; then it amended the County zoning ordinance to ensure that Vision Warriors would have to endure a laborious land use application process, and subsequently denied its applications for zoning approval.

After filing a complaint, successfully defending against a motion to dismiss, and engaging in months of discovery, the ACLJ went head-to-head with the County in filing competing motions for summary judgment to the district court. Unfortunately, the district court granted the County’s motion and dismissed the case. This decision will allow the County to shut down the ministry and prohibit Vision Warriors from continuing their mission. It will also leave the individuals they serve without a community or a home for their long-term recovery.

The ACLJ has filed an appeal in the Eleventh Circuit and will submit its first brief next month. We will keep you updated along the way, and we will vigorously fight in court to see Vision Warriors’ life-changing mission continue to operate unhindered by discrimination.