WE HOPE YOUR CHILDREN GET CANCER AND DIE

Dear Friend, This Facebook post to our clients Aaron and Melissa Klein came in at 1:06 p.m. during an afternoon late last year: It’s just one hateful remark of many. Someone else posted on the Kleins’ Facebook page, “she is gonna die.” Over the past four years, an intolerant mob has unleashed a flood of vile, threatening attacks against Christians Aaron and Melissa and their five wonderful children. Death threats were common. Others wrote: “[Expletive] sick [expletive] people! Hope you guys burn in hell.” “You’re both trash, I hope you lose the shirts off your backs.” “Y’all are literal garbage who will burn in Hell.” Why the hate? Because Aaron and Melissa refused to violate their consciences and deny their faith’s teaching on the sanctity of biblical marriage. As specialty bakers, they wouldn’t create a custom cake to celebrate (and communicate approval of) a same-sex wedding. Citizens should be able to hold their own beliefs about same-sex marriage without being punished by the government. Worst of all, this mob has drawn encouragement...from the government! The Kleins have been penalized $135,000 by a powerful state of Oregon agency. Their shop was bombarded with nonstop threatening phone calls and shut down. The agency’s leader sneeringly said he wanted to “rehabilitate” the Kleins. Yes, “rehabilitate!” First Liberty is challenging this ruling. JUST LAST MONTH we filed an appeal for the Kleins at the Oregon Supreme Court, and the case could go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Today I’m asking you to give $35, $50, $100, or even $500 to help provide the immense costs of defending the Kleins. When you give, you will get to help defend more than the Kleins’ freedom. You see, religious freedom itself is on trial in America today. Religious freedom is a growing target of hate. Tom, when the government condemns religious freedom, others in society feel they have permission to condemn and threaten religious beliefs. Hate for religion rises. If we don’t stand up for religious freedom in court . . . we will lose it. So we’ve assembled a world-class legal team to defend the Kleins—including the law firm of a former White House counsel. The Kleins could never in a million years afford such a superb defense without financial donations from First Liberty supporters like you. Your support will enable First Liberty to coordinate and sustain the Kleins’ legal fight at the Oregon Supreme Court. And all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. Please give now to defend the Klein family—and religious freedom for similar victims across America. Now that we’ve appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court, the hate campaign against the Kleins has flared up again: the threatening emails, Facebook posts, and more. Aaron, Melissa, and their five kids are taking a lonely stand. With your gift, you get the privilege of standing with them. You get to be part of the team, right alongside our attorneys. So please give now to help defend Aaron and Melissa at the Oregon Supreme Court and beyond. Standing up to hate in court is a critical step to silencing it. Please stand with us now. Sincerely, Kelly Shackelford, Esq. President, CEO & Chief Counsel  P.S. Winning in court will help silence the hate. First Liberty is “first in the fight” for heroes like Aaron and Melissa Klein and their five kids. We have defeated opponents of religious freedom only because people who care about freedom are willing to boldly support legal action. Please give now to help overturn the $135,000 penalty against the Kleins and restore their religious freedom. Thank you!