Today, in Youth 71Five Ministries v. Williams, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Youth 71Five’s motion for en banc reconsideration (i.e., review by a panel of 11 judges). The Center for Law & Religious freedom had filed an amicus brief in support of Youth 71Five’s motion. The Ninth Circuit also issued an amended opinion but still didn’t recognize the church autonomy is a standalone claim, not just a defense.
