RICHLAND, Wash.-The Yakima Union Gospel Mission is now asking the court to block the state from enforcing a law the nonprofit says will limit its freedom to hire like-minded individuals.
According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, the law firm that represents the mission, the nonprofit is seeking to defend its freedom to hire like-minded individuals who share and live out its religious beliefs and mission through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services and health clinics.
A virtual hearing will be held at the U.S. Courthouse in Richland on Friday, Oct. 11.
In Aug. the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the dismissal of the mission’s lawsuit and ruled that the nonprofit can legally challenge the law that limits its ability to hire like-minded individuals, according to the ADF.
The Union Gospel Mission of Yakima originally filed a lawsuit against Washington claiming the state law against discrimination impeded on the nonprofits First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit alleged that the mission should be allowed to hire employees that fit within their Christian beliefs.
The mission’s lawsuit was dismissed in Sept. 2023, however, the nonprofit filed a brief asking the court to protect its freedom to hire like-minded people in Nov. 2023.
The brief filed by the ADF, Union Gospel Mission of Yakima v. Ferguson, alleged that Washington had been actively and unlawfully enforcing WLAD against religious organizations in accordance with the state high court’s interpretation of the law.
