RESCHEDULED : Christian student group in court this week to seek equal treatment Kicked out for its beliefs, Business Leaders in Christ will argue this week for its right to remain at University of Iowa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Christian student group at the University of Iowa will defend its right to remain on campus and choose student leaders who embrace its religious beliefs before a federal judge this Friday. The oral argument has been rescheduled as a telephonic hearing. In BLinC v. University of Iowa, the University of Iowa kicked Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) off campus and told it to “revise” its Statement of Faith and submit an “acceptable plan” for selecting leaders if it wanted a place on campus. BLinC’s membership is open to all university students, but university officials targeted BLinC and other religious groups because they require leaders to live by and affirm the group’s religious beliefs. Meanwhile, the university allows several student groups – such as fraternities and sororities, sports clubs, feminist groups, pro-life groups, and advocacy groups – to enforce leader and membership restrictions. BLinC is asking the court for permanent protection from the university’s religious discrimination, especially after the university admitted that it knowingly targeted the religious student groups.

What:
Oral Argument in BLinC v. University of Iowa

Who:
Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket

When:
Friday, February 1, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. CST

Where:
Telephonic hearing with Judge Stephanie M. Rose

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Becket is a non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions and has a 100% win-rate before the United States Supreme Court. For over 20 years, it has successfully defended clients of all faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians (read more here).