Press Materials

Recent development: Judge Dismisses Original Complaint

(Washington, DC, March 12, 2009) The plaintiffs in Newdow v. Roberts are disappointed that a U.S. District Court today dismissed the case. The court held that the plaintiffs “failed to demonstrate that an injunction against any or all of the defendants could redress the harm alleged suffered by [them].” The court also held that the plaintiffs “identified no concrete and particularized injury.”

Bob Ritter, co-counsel for the plaintiffs and an attorney with the Appignani Humanist Legal Center, said: “On behalf of the plaintiffs, we respectfully disagree with the Judge Walton’s ruling and plan to appeal. There is a deep lack of understanding by the court how the nontheistic community suffered when a dominant Christian culture was endorsed by the government in the 2009 presidential inaugural ceremony. It is also apparent from a hearing held on January 15th in response to the plaintiffs motion for a preliminary injunction that the court is very reluctant to use its powers to enjoin the defendants, including the Chief Justice, from obeying the law. ”

• Order Dismissing Original Complaint (pdf)

Press Release: Presidential Inauguration Lawsuit: Over 200 Plaintiffs Added Under Seal

(Washington, DC, March 11, 2009) Today marks a new stage in Newdow v. Roberts, the lawsuit filed December 30, 2008, by atheist Michael Newdow and others to stop plans to include prayer and a religious oath at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint overnight in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, adding 230 plaintiffs (including a number of children) ... [Full text here]

• First Amended Complaint (pdf)

Press Release: Suit Filed to Stop Injection of God into Inauguration

(Washington, DC, December 30, 2008) Today eleven nontheistic organizations and thirty nontheistic individuals, led by Michael Newdow, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop plans to include prayer and a religious oath in the forthcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. ... [Full text here]

Legal Filings (pdf files)

• Newdow v. Roberts Complaint
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Appendix D
• Motion for Preliminary Injunction
  • Appendix A
  • Appendix B
  • Appendix C
• Order (Granting a hearing for January 15, 2009)