Judge Rules in Favor of Michigan Farmer Who Was Targeted for His Religious Beliefs

Red State ^ | 08/22/2023 | Jeff Charles

[SeekAndFind]

Score another victory for religious freedom! A federal judge issued a ruling in favor of a farmer in East Lansing, Michigan, who was excluded from a public farmer's market because of his Christian beliefs. It turns out that at least some government officials see that the city's rotten actions are violating civil liberties in the name of diversity.

The conflict started in 2017 when the city's government decided that the biggest drama in the farmer's market wasn't the price of tomatoes but the fact that Stephen Tennes, owner of Country Mill Farms, has religious beliefs that the city deemed unacceptable. The issue was related to his decision not to hold same-sex weddings on his farm.

But now, the judge has set things right.

The rights of a Michigan fruit grower were violated when a city barred him from a seasonal market because of his opposition to same-sex weddings at his orchard, a judge said.

East Lansing's decision to exclude Steve Tennes and Country Mill Farms in 2017 "constituted a burden on plaintiffs' religious beliefs," U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said Monday, applying a U.S. Supreme Court precedent to the case.

"Plaintiffs were forced to choose between following their religious beliefs and a government benefit for which they were otherwise qualified," Maloney said.

Tennes grows apples and other fruit in Eaton County, 22 miles away from East Lansing. He also had made his farm available for weddings.

Maloney explained that East Lansing "has not demonstrated a compelling interest in excluding plaintiffs" from selling their wares at the market. "The city's non-discrimination ordinance tolerates the same discrimination in other situations," he remarked.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the firm representing Tennes, lauded the ruling. "The district court's decision rightly protects Steve's freedom to operate his business according to his convictions," said ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson.

The ruling was not unexpected and doesn't change Country Mill Farms' association with the farmers market. The orchard has continued to sell its wares at the East Lansing market since Maloney issued a preliminary injunction against the city in 2017, saying the orchard was likely to prevail in the case.

The lawsuit came after the city changed its vendor guidelines so that its anti-discrimination policy applied to vendors, and then used the changes to deny Tennes a vendor's license in early 2017.

The city's decision to ban Tennes from the market came after he publically announced he would not hold same-sex weddings at his farm and orchard near Charlotte because of his religious beliefs.

The judge's ruling represents a critical victory for religious freedom, a right that progressives have been attacking for years. It could set another precedent for similar cases across the nation as it fights to uphold the right to practice one's religious beliefs.

This story also further highlights how liberty-minded folks can fight back against the authoritarian left, which seeks to use the state to force its ideological beliefs on the rest of us. ADF and other groups have been instrumental in using lawfare to stop efforts to punish people for exercising their beliefs. Hopefully, this will be one of many such decisions in the future.

[Liz]

The rights of a Michigan farmer were violated when a city barred him from a seasonal market because of his opposition to same-sex weddings at his Country Mill Farms orchard he often rented out for weddings. East Lansing's decision to exclude Steve Tennes and Country Mill Farms in 2017 "constituted a burden on plaintiffs' religious beliefs."

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said Monday, applying a U.S. Supreme Court precedent to the case, "Plaintiffs were forced to choose between following their religious beliefs and a government benefit for which they were otherwise qualified," Maloney said.

[CatOwner]

As long as the leftists can appeal, the good guys will never win in the end. They will find the narrowest of rulings/laws to punish this farmer. Or they will just sidestep the courts and find another way to punish him.

[Liz]

The judge’s ruling represents a critical victory for religious freedom,
an embedded right that progressives have been attacking for years.

The ruling could set a precedent b/c it applied a U.S. Supreme Court precedent to the case:
“Plaintiffs were forced to choose between (a) following their beliefs and (b) a government benefit
for which they were otherwise qualified,” Judge Maloney said.

Further highlights how liberty-minded Christians can fight back against the authoritarian left
to punish people for exercising.......or merely articulating their beliefs.......ala Trump.

[SuperLuminal]

More proof that:
The only good communist is a dead communist...
It is our duty as citizens to help everyone be as good as possible...

If we are unwilling to do our duty, maybe we should not complain...

[metmom]

The left are such hypocrites.

They have a non-discrimination policy that they violate themselves by discriminating against someone because of religion.

[griswold3]

The “Progressive” zombies never die.

[gunnut]

It took 6 years for this to go to trial and get a ruling?

[healy61]

Leftist would have stormed the market, and overturned all the tables on cue. Then, peacefully, exit to cars with fake license plates and left.

[thecodont]

Thank God for this ruling. I have been praying for Mr. Tennes.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I remember this case.

The usual surrender monkeys were blaming the farmer.

[Red Badger]

Well, how do ya like them apples?...................

[Liz]

“Delicious.........”

[Albion Wilde]

This story also further highlights how liberty-minded folks can fight back against the authoritarian left, which seeks to use the state to force its ideological beliefs on the rest of us.

And it only took five years! But congratuations and blessings to the brave farmer and the same to the awesome Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).

WEB SITE: Country Mill Orchard & Cider Mill
VIDEO 1min 30sec : The Country Mill in Charlotte Michigan​
Enjoy "family fun on the farm" for all ages at our cider mill, orchard, winery and farm market. During the various seasons, you can pick your own apples, blueberries, peaches, sunflowers, and pumpkins at our 213 acre farm. (Check for availability). Relax on a wagon ride before enjoying fresh donuts, caramel apples, and pies in our bakery. Take a stroll in our farm market to discover unique gifts, hard cider, wine and fresh apple cider. We grow and produce organic blueberries, peaches, apples, cider, applesauce, apple butter, apple chips and vinegar. ​​​

Country Mill farm's annual
Pick a Peck for People charity event

[Albion Wilde]

A great story of a hard-working Charlotte family who won against woke cancel culture in East Lansing:

Judge Rules in Favor of Michigan Farmer Who Was Targeted for His Religious Beliefs
https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/4177056/posts?page=1

Also see post 14 for details of how to enjoy this worthy Christian-owned business.

Michigan freepers -- does one of you have a MI pinglist?

Or can one of you post this article to the Michigan FR page?

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

It also gives comfort to his compatriot in Clinton County (St. Johns) who consistently insults East Lansing and Whitmer by way of a lighted traffic sign facing north-bound traffic on US-127.
I look forward to passing his farm to see what he is posting.

[madison10]

It was a stupid lawsuit to start with. Will check them out.