Why Support the San Diego Firefighters' Defense Fund?

If you believe in the freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and the right to be free of sexual harassment, you should know that these are under attack.

I am Charles S. LiMandri, an experienced California attorney who represents four San Diego firefighters who took a stand against the City of San Diego after being forced to participate in the annual gay pride parade. This decision was made, despite complaints of sexual harassment and the firefighters' deeply held religious beliefs.

I need your help to continue the fight to protect the rights of people like these firefighters. Donate now to allow me to continue the legal battle.

San Diego Firefighters

Preventing Sexual Harassment

I argued that despite the objections of the four firefighters, and the fact that it was violating California law, the City of San Diego forced the firefighters to march in a gay pride parade that subjected them to various forms of lewd behavior and sexual harassment. The City of San Diego subjected these firefighters to sexual harassment, rather than take reasonable steps to prevent it, as the law requires.

When these four firefighters requested to be excused from participating in the 2007 San Diego Gay Pride Parade, their request was denied by their superiors. The firefighters asked to be excused because:

• They did not want to be subjected to sexual harassment as had happened in prior years
• They did not want to appear to be endorsing public sexual behavior, which runs counter to their own values

Facing Disciplinary Action if They Refused to March

The City informed my clients that if they did not march, they could face disciplinary action.

If these brave firefighters had not complained, I am certain that the harassment would have continued. The City would not have backed down and changed its policy. Even now, the city policy is unclear and the City has taken the position it will order firefighters to be in the gay pride parade again if it does not have sufficient volunteers.

Fighting for Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech

I maintain that the decision by the City of San Diego forced these four firefighters to march in a parade that clearly offended their deeply held religious beliefs. This decision violated their freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Even though the City has purportedly changed its policy of using volunteers it has never admitted any wrongdoing. I believe it should be the private decision of an employee whether to march in a gay pride parade, not the decision of a city.

The success of this important case will depend partly on your help. The first trial ended in a hung jury. Out of 12 jurors, eight believed there was sexual harassment, but we needed nine votes, thus it ended in a hung jury. The second trial is scheduled for January 16, 2009. We are confident we will prevail. So far, I have incurred nearly $900,000 in attorney's fees and $100,000 in court costs.

I am are calling on those who care about protecting freedom of speech and freedom of religion and preventing workplace sexual harassment to support this cause and donate to this important legal matter.

Please visit our blog www.firefightersdefensefundblog.com and our main site at www.limandrilaw.com.

Charles S. LiMandri, Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 9120
16236 San Dieguito Road
Suite 3-15
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Phone: 858-759-9930
Fax: 858-759-9938
Email: Charles S. LiMandri
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Based in Rancho Santa Fe, California, Attorney Charles S. LiMandri provides pro bono legal representation for plaintiffs in free speech and religious freedom cases.