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U.S. NEWS Thursday 16 augusT 2018

Colorado baker who refused to

make cake for gays sues again

By JAMES ANDERSON to female. and at least $100,000 in pu-
DENVER (AP) — A Colorado Phillips refused the request, nitive damages from Elenis.
baker who insisted his reli- citing his belief that "the sta- Rebecca Laurie, a spokes-
gious beliefs justified his re- tus of being male or female woman for the commis-
fusal to make a wedding ... is given by God, is bio- sion, declined comment
cake for a gay couple — an logically determined, is not Wednesday, citing pend-
argument partly supported determined by perceptions ing litigation. Also declining
by the U.S. Supreme Court or feelings, and cannot be comment where Jacque
— has sued the state again chosen or changed," the Montgomery, spokeswom- In this June 4, 2018 file photo, baker Jack Phillips, owner of
Masterpiece Cakeshop, manages his shop after a U.S. Supreme
for opposing his refusal to lawsuit said. an for Hickenlooper, the Court issued a limited ruling in his favor after he refused to make
bake a cake celebrating a The rights division found Democratic governor, and a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
gender transition, his attor- that Autumn Scardina, Annie Skinner, spokeswom- Associated Press
neys said Wednesday. who requested the cake, an for Coffman, a Republi-
Lawyers for Masterpiece was discriminated against can. But the court stayed out of the latest case that he can
Cakeshop owner Jack based on her transgender Attorneys for Alliance De- the thornier issue of wheth- make no more than two
Phillips allege in a federal status. It ordered both par- fending Freedom, repre- er people can avoid pro- to five custom cakes per
lawsuit filed Tuesday that ties to seek a mediated senting Phillips, contend viding services to same-sex week, depending on time
Colorado is on a "crusade resolution. the latest action contra- weddings because of reli- constraints and demand
to crush" Phillips because of Reached by telephone venes the Supreme Court's gious beliefs. for other goods.
his religious beliefs. Wednesday, Scardina de- ruling in the Masterpiece The original case started The new lawsuit alleges
They are challenging a clined to comment, citing wedding cake case. The when Phillips refused to that Colorado violated
June 28 finding by Colo- the pending litigation. high court ruled June 4 that bake a wedding cake for Phillips' First Amendment
rado's Civil Rights Division Phillips' suit names rights di- some commission mem- Charlie Craig and Dave right to practice his faith
that Phillips discriminated vision director Aubrey Ele- bers displayed anti-religion Mullins in 2012. Phillips op- and 14th Amendment right
against a Denver-area at- nis, state Attorney General bias in their deliberations erates a small, family-run to equal protection, citing
torney who requested a Cynthia Coffman and Gov. and that anti-discrimination bakery located in a strip commission rulings uphold-
birthday cake in 2017 to John Hickenlooper as de- laws "must be applied in a mall in the southwest Den- ing other bakers' refusal
celebrate the attorney's fendants. It seeks a rever- manner that is neutral to- ver suburb of Lakewood. to make cakes exhibiting
gender transition from male sal of the commission ruling ward religion." He told the commission in hate messages.q

Notes of support pour in for 2 who started California blaze

REDDING, Calif. (AP) — A ding, California, reported ture I'd feel." of three, and a friend are
couple whose flattened Wednesday. The blaze that has de- reading the letters before
trailer tire reportedly start- Pilli doesn't know the cou- stroyed nearly 1,100 homes they send them to the cou-
ed a massive fire in North- ple, but said a firefighter and killed eight people ple to make sure all are en-
ern California has received who knows them told her started on July 23 with a couraging. Thus far, they
more than 100 cards and the woman blames herself spark from a vehicle driv- have been.
letters with supportive mes- and cries day and night. ing on a flat tire, fire offi- She said she hopes the
sages telling them not to She decided to send them cials said. It was 67 percent couple "feel the love and
feel guilty. a card with a supportive contained as of Wednes- forgive themselves."
The outpouring of support message and then posted day. "I think the fire has caused
for an 81-year-old man about the couple on social Pilli said she has received us to look into each other's
and his wife started after media. more than 100 cards and eyes and discover the hu-
Rachel Pilli made a Face- "I couldn't imagine the letters and they keep com- In this Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 man kindness in us," Pilli
book post offering to for- grief," she said. "If I were ing. People have also sent photo, Rachel Pilli poses at the said. "People have been
ward compassionate mes- the one responsible for the bouquets of flowers and Care Net Pregnancy Center in so generous. It's a beau-
sages to the couple, the accident I couldn't imag- gifts for the couple. Redding, Calif. tiful story of hope and
Record Searchlight in Red- ine the shame and the tor- Pilli, a doctor and mother Associated Press community."q