Whether called Human Rights, Human Relations, or Civil Rights Commissions, many cities and counties and virtually every state has one. On the local level, the commissioners who comprise these agencies are usually either volunteers or political appointees. These commissioners typically have no legal training or direct attorney oversight; they just have a passion for “inclusivity” and conciliation. In the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, the Supreme Court called out the Colorado Civil Rights Commission members’ unmasked hostility toward the Christian cake artists’ faith. Just the threat of an investigation or an exemplary proceeding is sufficient to coerce targeted persons into compliance. Do these tribunals, by their very nature, create an atmosphere for the type of animus seen in Masterpiece Cakeshop? Is there a countervailing focus on First Amendment guarantees of free expression and freedom of conscience? How are the protections of due process and equal treatment safeguarded? Is Masterpiece Cakeshop just the tip of the iceberg?
Featuring:

Jeremy Tedesco, Senior counsel and Cice President of U.S. Advocacy and Administration for Alliance Defending Freedom

Herbert Grey, Attorney, Solo Practioner

Moderator: Karen Lugo, Founder, Libertas-West Project