Summary
The city and mayor of Atlanta terminated the employment of Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran because of his Christian faith and beliefs. Mayor Kasim Reed first suspended Cochran for 30 days and announced that he would have to complete “sensitivity training” after activists who don’t agree with the fire chief’s Christian views on sex complained about a men’s devotional book Cochran had written on his personal time. Biblical sexual morality is mentioned only briefly in the 162-page book. After an investigation that included interviews with employees found Cochran did not discriminate against anyone, the mayor fired him anyway—citing as his basis, ironically, the need to tolerate diverse views.
Press Releases
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October 15th, 2018Atlanta to pay $1.2 million to former fire chief after firing him, violating his First Amendment freedoms -
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December 20th, 2017Court says Atlanta policies violate First Amendment freedoms of former fire chief, others
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December 16th, 2015Court allows lawsuit of unjustly fired fire chief to go forward against city of Atlanta
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April 9th, 2015ADF extinguishes Atlanta’s arguments in defense of discrimination against fire chief -
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March 26th, 2015Atlanta’s desperate defense of discrimination still deficient
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February 18th, 2015Fire chief sues city of Atlanta over unjust termination
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January 14th, 2015City, mayor of Atlanta playing with constitutional fire
Case Documents
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Case Profiles
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Kevin Theriot
Senior Counsel
Kevin Theriot serves as senior counsel and vice president of the Center for Life with Alliance Defending Freedom