Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in Olivier v. City of Brandon

We’re thrilled to share exciting news in the ongoing fight for religious freedom: the U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari in Olivier v. City of Brandon—a crucial case involving a Mississippi street preacher’s First Amendment rights. This is a significant step forward in a case that has the potential to reaffirm and strengthen protections for public expressions of faith.

We proudly filed an amicus brief at the cert stage, urging the Court to hear the case. In that brief, we made clear that the City of Brandon’s actions violated both the First Amendment and the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act (MRFRA). The city’s suppression of street preaching wasn’t just a constitutional overstep—it was a direct affront to deeply rooted American principles of free expression and religious liberty.

Now that certiorari has been granted, the Supreme Court will hear the case on its merits. We fully intend to remain involved and will file another amicus brief at the merits stage. Our message remains firm: the right to publicly express one’s faith, especially on public property, is not negotiable. It's a cornerstone of our legal tradition and a reflection of our nation's founding values.

This is not just a legal win—it’s a cultural and historical stand. From the public squares of colonial America to today’s sidewalks, street preaching has been a fixture of religious expression. Attempts to silence such voices not only defy constitutional guarantees but erase a vibrant part of our shared heritage.

We’re thankful the Supreme Court has taken this opportunity to address these critical issues. We’ll be watching closely—and participating—as this case moves forward. For now, we celebrate another step toward justice.