Update: On June 25, 2007, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, concluded that taxpayers have "standing to sue" only when Congress spends money in a way that violates the freedom of religion clauses of the Constitution.  ADL called the decision, "a setback to religious liberty in America."  More

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New York, NY, February 2, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today joined a coalition of civil rights groups in a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to overturn an important rule that gives taxpayers the right to challenge inappropriate government endorsement of religion in federal court.  The case, Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, questions whether taxpayers have standing to sue in federal court for violations of the Establishment clause.

"This case dramatically illustrates the efforts by some to undermine religious freedom in this country," said Deborah M. Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director.  "We urge the Supreme Court to resist this effort and ensure that all citizens retain their right to sue when the federal government spends their tax dollars in a way that unconstitutionally promotes a religious agenda."

ADL joined several other organizations in filing an amicus curiae brief that urges the court to reject suggestions that this case be used to overrule the landmark case of Flast v. Cohen (1968), which secured the important right of "taxpayer standing." ADL, a leading advocate for religious freedom, had also filed an amicus brief in that case.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.