PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich applauds the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) for protecting the First Amendment rights of public employees. General Brnovich co-led a multi-state amicus brief in Joseph A. Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.
“This is a great win, strongly affirming our constitutional recognition for freedom of speech, religion, and personal expression for all,” said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “The First Amendment is at the core of who we are as Americans, and we must vigorously uphold it not only in court but every day of our lives.”
The case involves a public high school football coach, Joseph Kennedy, who prayed at the 50-yard line after games. The school district ordered him to stop doing it, and he refused. Kennedy was placed on leave and was not rehired. He filed a lawsuit in 2016, saying his First Amendment rights were violated.
In March 2022, General Brnovich co-led the 27-state coalition amicus brief on this case. He previously co-led a 24-state amicus brief asking SCOTUS to accept this case. SCOTUS agreed to hear the case in January 2022.
Read a copy of the opinion here.