Arlene’s Flowers v. Washington State, Case No. 17-108
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Amicus Brief

Arlene’s Flowers v. Washington State, Case No. 17-108

This case concerns a state’s attempt to compel a private individual to express support for ideas that are anathema to their sincerely held religious convictions in violation of the First Amendment. Floral design is a form of artistic expression akin to painting or sculpture, and by mandating that the petitioner here, Barronelle Stutzman, create custom flower arrangements in celebration of same-sex marriage ceremonies or be forced out of business, the Washington Supreme Court has effectively undermined this Court’s declaration that speech compulsions are just as unconstitutional as speech restrictions.

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