Summary
The city and mayor of Atlanta terminated the employment of Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran because of his Christian faith and beliefs. Mayor Kasim Reed first suspended Cochran for 30 days and announced that he would have to complete “sensitivity training” after activists who don’t agree with the fire chief’s Christian views on sex complained about a men’s devotional book Cochran had written on his personal time. Biblical sexual morality is mentioned only briefly in the 162-page book. After an investigation that included interviews with employees found Cochran did not discriminate against anyone, the mayor fired him anyway—citing as his basis, ironically, the need to tolerate diverse views.
Press Releases
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Atlanta to pay $1.2 million to former fire chief after firing him, violating his First Amendment freedoms -
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Court says Atlanta policies violate First Amendment freedoms of former fire chief, others
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Court allows lawsuit of unjustly fired fire chief to go forward against city of Atlanta
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ADF extinguishes Atlanta's arguments in defense of discrimination against fire chief -
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Atlanta's desperate defense of discrimination still deficient
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Fire chief sues city of Atlanta over unjust termination
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City, mayor of Atlanta playing with constitutional fire
Case Documents
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Case Profiles
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Kevin Theriot
Senior Counsel
Kevin Theriot serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where he is a key member of the Center for Life Team working to defend pro-life speech and protect medical rights of conscience.