The Church State Council’s Alan Reinach explains why Ron Hittle’s civil rights have been violated.
Ron Hittle served the Stockton California fire department for 24 years, until he was fired for attending a world class leadership conference sponsored by a church. The city didn’t care that Hittle received superb leadership training – they could not see past the fact that it was sponsored by a church. It was religious, and that’s all they needed to know to fire Chief Hittle.
Chief Hittle’s case is now pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, seeking to overturn the lower court decision for the city.
Elisabeth Butler, of Baker Botts LLP, noted, “City of Stockton officials demonstrated blatant intolerance toward Chief Hittle’s religious beliefs. Federal law protects the freedom of every American to live without fear of losing their jobs simply because of their beliefs.”
Additionally, Alan J. Reinach of the Church State Council said, “Courts don’t seem to understand religious discrimination. If the fire chief was an African American who was fired for attending a “black” leadership conference sponsored by the NAACP, there would be no question this is evidence of racial discrimination. But when Stockton fired a Christian for attending a church based program offering world class leadership training by top experts, the trial court was blind to the obvious religious discrimination. We are hopeful the Ninth Circuit will find in favor of Chief Hittle.”
Reinach now joins us to discuss this case further, as well as its repercussions.
Q&A:
- Why do you think the city of Stockton, CA chose to fire the police chief? Did they not want religion involved with the leadership class they were suggesting, or is there possibly another reason?
- Why exactly would you say this is a significant violation when it comes to Hittle’s civil rights?
- What has the city said about the matter thus far, if anything? Do you believe you’ll be victorious in allowing Hittle to obtain his job back?
- What can this case say about future decisions by the court to not let decision making come down to personal matters, such as religion? Or will it have that big an effect?
- Is it important for people to have their beliefs, especially now? Provided they aren’t hurting anyone else in the process, of course.
- Where can listeners go to get more information about your organization, the Church State Council, as well as the ongoing case?
Those wishing to learn more can visit http://www.churchstate.org.
About Alan J. Reinach, Esq….
Alan J Reinach, Esq., is a Seventh-day Adventist minister and attorney, He has served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Church State Council, the oldest public policy and legal services organization in the southwest devoted to religious freedom and the separation of church and state since 1994. For more than three decades, his law practice has emphasized representing workers denied religious accommodation, or subjected to harassment and/or retaliation because of their faith.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001, or geraldmcg@outlook.com.
