“But the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country,” the court’s opinion stated. “It reflects instead a judgment that every American possesses an inalienable right to think and speak freely, and a faith in the free marketplace of ideas as the best means for discovering truth... any law that suppresses speech based on viewpoint represents an ‘egregious’ assault on both of those commitments.”

“The idea that an employer can fire an employee for simply voicing a religious belief, after being invited to do so, is chilling,” said Cliff Martin, senior counsel for First Liberty Institute. “No employee should have to hide their faith in order to keep their job.”

During the conversation with the student, the vice principal said it was permissible for the school to allow students to leave campus during school hours to participate in anti-ICE protests, but she maintained that the student’s distribution of religious literature was not permitted. “The District’s own officials have articulated a policy of viewpoint discrimination with unusual candor,” the ACLJ’s letter states. “The school has opened a forum for student expression during non-instructional time and has selectively excluded a religious viewpoint from that forum.”

Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO, and chief counsel for First Liberty Institute which defended Olivier in his suit, celebrated the ruling. “This is not only a win for the right to share your faith in public,” Shackelford said, “but also a win for every American’s right to have their day in court when their First Amendment rights are violated.”

In a Facebook post, Franklin Graham noted how he looked up to Norris while growing up. “Chuck Norris was an incredible athlete and a great American—and growing up, he was one of my heroes. Part of his Christian testimony was that he rededicated his life to Christ as a young adult at one of my father Billy Graham's Crusades. He will be greatly missed. Join me in praying for his family.”

“It is tragic—and unacceptable—that a child who recanted her allegations and yearns to be home remains separated from her family, resulting in extended and severe mental distress,” Sancho continued. “The element of religious discrimination is also unmistakable in this case. The state labeled the family as religious extremists solely because of their active practice of their Christian faith.