Thai Meditation Ass’n v. City of Mobile (11th Cir.)
The Association seeks to build a Buddhist meditation center on a piece of land that it owns in Mobile, Alabama. The amicus brief states that the district court incorrectly interpreted the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law that protects against zoning and land-use decisions that inhibit religious exercise.
Case Documents
- Opinion of the Court (U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama) (Oct. 2, 2023)
- Brief of Amicus Curiae Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Clinic in Support of Plaintiffs-Appellants (Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit) (Sept. 15, 2022)
Regarding the Eleventh Circuit Court’s decision in favor of the Thai Meditation Association v. City of Mobile:
"After years of delay, the Eleventh Circuit’s decision rightly recognizes that the City of Mobile cannot deny a Buddhist organization’s right to build a site for prayer and meditation on the organization’s own land. The freedom to live according to our religious beliefs is critical for all people, but especially for minority groups like this, who often face hostility from their surrounding community. We hope that the court’s decision will ensure that this vital freedom is safeguarded for all, regardless of faith tradition."
- John Meiser; Director, Religious Liberty Clinic, Notre Dame Law School Religious Liberty Initiative
Press Releases
- "ND Law's Religious Liberty Clinic supports Buddhist association in Alabama land use case" by Anna Bradley, published by Notre Dame Law School (Sept. 16, 2022)
Meet the Team
-
Director, Religious Liberty Clinic
Term Teaching Professor -
Legal Fellow, Religious Liberty Clinic
-
2022-23 Student Fellow
-
2021-22 Student Fellow
2022-23 Student Fellow