WASHINGTON, D.C. - America First Legal (AFL) has successfully secured justice for Kombe Sefelino, a Christian student who was suspended and removed from the County College of Morris (CCM) campus in New Jersey for sharing the Bible. AFL, along with co-counsel Jonathan F. Mitchell and Wally Zimolong, filed a lawsuit against CCM in March of last year after complaints were made to college administrators regarding Mr. Sefelino's criticism of homosexuality.
The college issued a written warning to Mr. Sefelino, claiming that his reading from the Bible constituted "hate speech" and demonstrated a bias against the LGBTQ+ community. The warning also alleged that his statements violated New Jersey law. Despite these threats, Mr. Sefelino refused to self-censor and continued to teach the Bible on campus.
After Mr. Sefelino reiterated the Bible's teachings on homosexuality, the college found him guilty of "preaching hate speech on campus in reference to homosexuality and homosexuals" and suspended him for eleven days. Astonishingly, CCM, a public institution funded by taxpayers and bound by the Constitution's guarantees of free speech and religious freedom, even threatened to expel him if he persisted in preaching from the Bible. In a letter, the college hypocritically stated, "We accept everyone here. There is no place for bias at CCM. You should think hard about whether this is the best environment for you."
Today, AFL is proud to announce that a stipulated final order has been obtained, securing justice for Mr. Sefelino. America First Legal President Stephen Miller expressed his satisfaction, stating, "America First Legal is proud to have represented Mr. Sefelino and vindicated his rights in this case."
This victory marks an important milestone in the fight to protect freedom of speech and religious expression on college campuses. It sends a clear message that public institutions must uphold the constitutional rights of their students and respect diverse viewpoints.
In response to the outcome of the case, Mr. Sefelino expressed his gratitude for the support he received, saying, "I am thankful to America First Legal and my legal team for standing up for my rights. This victory reaffirms the importance of free speech and religious freedom in our society."
AFL's successful defense of Mr. Sefelino's rights serves as a reminder that no individual should be silenced or punished for peacefully expressing their beliefs, especially on a college campus where the free exchange of ideas should be encouraged and protected. This case sets a precedent for future legal battles involving similar violations of free speech and religious freedom.
As the nation continues to grapple with debates surrounding freedom of expression and diversity of thought, it is crucial that individuals and organizations remain steadfast in defending the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
The fight for justice and the preservation of constitutional rights is ongoing, and victories like this provide hope and encouragement for those who believe in the importance of free speech and religious freedom in our society.