Liberty Institute Warns That Ripple Effect Of San Antonio's Unconstitutional New Ordinance Threatens All Americans' Religious Freedom

Attorneys Consider Legal Action Against San Antonio's New Ordinance, Believing It Can Be Defeated in the Courts

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today,Liberty Institute President and CEO Kelly Shackelford issued the following statement following the passage of the City of San Antonio's controversial ordinance regarding its so-called "non-discrimination" policy. Liberty Institute warns that it is unconstitutional for any government, including the City of San Antonio, to prohibit the free exercise of religion and to make it a "thought crime" to hold traditional biblical views on sexuality.

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"This is a sad day for San Antonians, for Texans, and for all Americans when the City of San Antonio has seen fit to pass this so-called "non-discrimination" policy granting special status and rights to homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender individuals at the expense of the religious liberty rights of its citizens and businesses," said Liberty Institute President and CEO Kelly Shackelford. "The ordinance, plain and simple, stifles free speech and tramples religious liberty, targeting citizens and businesses that hold traditional views about sexuality. The ripple effect of this law could go far beyond San Antonio.  This is not something that just affects residents of San Antonio.  This should alarm every American who values their religious freedom."

"We at Liberty Institute believe this and similar ordinances can be defeated in court, and we are currently evaluating legal action against the City of San Antonio."

Click here to view letters that Liberty Institute sent to San Antonio city officials opposing the ordinance:

• http://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=101
• http://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=94

About Liberty Institute
Liberty Institute is a national nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's Founders. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

SOURCE Liberty Institute