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Zhang Jingrong, et al. v. Chinese Anti-Cult World Alliance, Inc., et al.

Paid petition · United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, No. 18-2626 · judgment October 14, 2021


Certiorari denied · October 3, 2022
Pre-decision estimate: 2% cert probability

Before the decision, well below the 4.1% base rate, with no standout signals pointing toward a grant.

Question presented

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACEA) prohibits violence against persons exercising their right to religious freedom at a “place of religious worship.” 18 U.S.C. § 248(a)(2). Although FACEA does not modify the term, the Second Circuit held that “place of religious worship” should reach only places “religious adherents collectively recognize or religious leadership designates as a place primarily to gather for or to hold religious worship activities.” The question presented is: Whether the statutory text and First Amendment permit FACEA’s protections from violence at a “place of religious worship” to apply only to places religious adherents collectively recognize or religious leadership designates as a place primarily to gather for or to hold religious worship activities.

Counsel of record

For petitioner
James A. Sonne
Stanford Law School - Religious Liberty Clinic

For respondent
Tom M. Fini
Catafago Fini LLP

Case

Conference history
Distributed for 1 conference

Amicus briefs
4 cert-stage

Related
Vide, 21-1556

Linked docket
21A412

Proceedings

  1. Oct 03 2022
    Petition DENIED.
  2. Aug 31 2022
    DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/28/2022.
  3. Aug 31 2022
    Reply of petitioners Zhang Jingrong, et al. filed. (Distributed)
  4. Jul 11 2022
    Brief of respondents Chinese Anti-Cult World Alliance, Inc., et al. in opposition filed.
  5. Jun 09 2022
    Brief amicus curiae of Professor John D. Inazu filed.
  6. Jun 09 2022
    Brief amici curiae of West Virginia and 23 Other States filed.
  7. Jun 09 2022
    Brief amicus curiae of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed.
  8. Jun 06 2022
    Brief amicus curiae of First Liberty Institute filed.
  9. Jun 01 2022
    Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including July 11, 2022.
  10. May 31 2022
    Motion to extend the time to file a response from June 9, 2022 to July 11, 2022, submitted to The Clerk.
  11. May 06 2022
    Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 9, 2022)
  12. Feb 11 2022
    Application (21A412) granted by Justice Sotomayor extending the time to file until May 6, 2022.
  13. Feb 08 2022
    Application (21A412) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from March 7, 2022 to May 6, 2022, submitted to Justice Sotomayor.