Two Christian business owners in Phoenix are hoping their legal challenge to a local ordinance will usher in a happy new year for them.
Artists Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski (pictured) believe in traditional, biblical marriage – a belief that brought them into conflict with a Phoenix ordinance as owners of Brush & Nib Studio in the capital city (see more details on this case). The Arizona Supreme Court will decide in January whether to rule in favor of Duka and Koski – or uphold a lower court’s ruling that says the artists must comply with an ordinance that requires they do artwork for all weddings, regardless of their religious objections.
The attorney representing Duka and Koski explains this is a preemptive challenge – meaning the artists are challenging this ordinance before they’re found guilty of violating the ordinance, which requires fines and even jail time for guilty parties.
“In terms of pre-enforcement challenges, this has been used in the Civil Rights-era many, many times, because Americans shouldn’t have to wait to be thrown in jail before they can challenge an unjust law,” said attorney Kristen Waggoner of Alliance Defending Freedom during an interview Thursday on Fox & Friends.
Eric Fraser, the attorney representing Phoenix, says the artists in question want the court system to give them a “blank check” to refuse service to any same-sex couple that is requesting wedding products.
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SOURCE: One News Now, Chris Woodward
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