Press Releases

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Urged to Reverse Lower Court that Forced Doctor to Choose Between His Faith and Justice

The court refused to move the doctor’s trial even one day to allow him to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Harrisburg, PA—First Liberty Institute and Winston & Strawn LLP, on behalf of the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, the Coalition for Jewish Values, and the Louis D. Brandeis Law Society, and the Independence Law Center filed friend-of-the-court briefs…

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Victory! Secretary of Veterans Affairs Stops Pennsylvania VA Hospital from Censoring Chaplains, Protects Chaplain Rights Nationwide

(Harrisburg, PA - April 3rd, 2025)—U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins sent a letter to First Liberty Institute and the Independence Law Center (“ILC”) announcing that his office has taken action to stop a speech code for chaplains threatened by the Coatesville (PA) VA Medical Center.  The decision ensures that First Liberty and ILC client Chaplain Rusty Trubey and his chaplain colleagues…

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PIAA Updates Policy to Protect Girls’ Sports – Statement from Independence Law Center

The following statement can be attributed to Jeremy Samek, Senior Counsel, Independence Law Center, in response to Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) change of policy regarding girls’ sports. # # # "The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) took an important step in restoring safety, fairness, and opportunity in girls’ sports by aligning its policy…

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Pennsylvania VA Chaplain Sanctioned for Chapel Message, Faces Sermon Censorship by Supervisor

Law firms send letter to new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Collins seeking action. Harrisburg, PA—Today, First Liberty Institute and the Independence Law Center sent a letter on behalf of Rusty Trubey, a veteran chaplain at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, asking U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to take immediate action to eliminate a speech code being imposed by the VA and ensure…

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Case of Mail Carrier Who Sued Postal Service and Won at U.S. Supreme Court Set for Trial

Gerald Groff lost his job after seeking religious accommodation to observe Sunday Sabbath, resulting in unanimous decision at Supreme Court. Philadelphia, PA—The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania rejected the U.S. Postal Service’s (“USPS”) motion for summary judgement, ordering a trial for Gerald Groff, the former mail carrier who filed a lawsuit against…

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Response to False Rumors Circulating About the Independence Law Center

Independence Law Center supports the goal of parents and school districts to see that everyone is treated with respect, and that the privacy rights of all students are protected. Independence Law Center always recommends privacy, including increasing privacy within existing facilities. We never suggest putting a window into restrooms with stalls.  It’s the position of the Independence Law…

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