Christian Athletes File Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against University

Our Great Lakes Justice Center (GLJC), on behalf of four university women soccer athletes, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in Grand Rapids today against Western Michigan University (WMU). The suit challenges WMU’s unlawful denial of their request for religious freedom from the college’s vaccine mandate to participate in sports. All four athletes are on scholarship and include two team captains. WMU recently instituted a requirement for all its athletes in all sports to take the Covid-19 vaccine or forfeit their right to play intercollegiate sports. No similar vaccine requirement exists for any other students at WMU. Other universities, including MSU and U of M, are granting religious exemptions to athletes.

All four students agreed to wear masks and to be regularly tested for the virus. That was not acceptable to WMU. If the students are not vaccinated by August 31^st, they will be kicked off the soccer team. The students are requesting injunctive relief to allow them to remain on their team while litigation is pending. The Complaint alleges:

1. Violation of Plaintiffs’ Constitutional Right to Free Exercise of Religion.
2. Violation of Plaintiffs’ Constitutional Right to Privacy, Bodily Integrity, and to make Personal Medical Decisions.
3. Violation of Plaintiffs’ Federal & State Statutory Right to be free of Religious Discrimination.

The student athletes specifically allege:

• The Constitution does not allow WMU to deny their First Amendment rights and force them to accept an invasive medical injection against their sincerely held religious beliefs. The Constitution does not become irrelevant or inapplicable during a pandemic.
• They have a right to privacy, bodily integrity, and personal autonomy. The government should honor a decision made between a woman and her doctor, especially when the students have agreed to other protective measures like weekly testing and masking. Every person has a right to refuse medical treatment.
• Violation of their statutory right to be free from religious discrimination under both Federal law and Michigan’s Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act.

David A. Kallman, Senior Counsel with GLJC, stated, “WMU should acknowledge and support our clients’ sincere religious beliefs and personal medical decisions. The science and data does not support this action or treating the unvaccinated as second class citizens.” Professor William Wagner, President of GLJC said, “The abuse of power by government authorities at WMU stops at the Constitution…and it stops today.” The complaint is posted at the Great Lakes website at www.greatlakesjc.org.