Court Reopens Case: Firefighters Stand for Religious Rights

San Jose, CA - Firefighters working for the City of San Jose were placed on unpaid leave for over a month because they declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19 per a public health order. Due to religious convictions, these employees were not able to comply with the mandate.

The firefighters reached out to PJI for representation. A lawsuit was filed in the Santa Clara superior court where the employees claimed that unpaid and indefinite leave was an adverse employment action. The City disagreed. The trial court dismissed the case and the firefighters appealed. "This is a clear example of how municipalities disregard the religious rights of faith based individuals who solely want to be able to live by their Christian beliefs.

PJI is committed to the protection of those rights and we will not stop fighting" stated PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus. In a unanimous decision the California Court of Appeal reversed the lower court and awarded costs. "Public safety requires that all first responders be available for service. The City exercised poor judgment by keeping firefighters sidelined," said Kevin Snider of PJI who argued the case.