Posted on 07/09/2015 7:46:17 AM PDT by xzins
Two Christian bakers who refused to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding have been ordered to pay $135,000 in damages by July 13 or else the state of Oregon could place a lien on their home.
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, were punished by the state's Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI) for unlawfully discriminating against a same-sex couple.
The Kleins, who are devout evangelical Christians, argued that baking the cake would be a violation of their religious beliefs.
The BOLI ruling ordered the mom-and-pop bakers to pay $135,000 to the lesbian couple. They were also slapped with a gag order that prohibits them from speaking publicly about their refusal to participate in or bake wedding cakes for same-sex unions.
And now they have until July 13 to pay the damages or else face additional fines and a possible lien on their home.
"This is intimidation and bullying—that's exactly what it is," Klein told me in a telephone interview." They are trying to strong-arm me into handing over $135,000 to the two girls and if I win on appeal—they will never pay me back."
A BOLI spokesman confirmed they sent a standard payment letter to the Kleins' attorney.
"The letter informs them that if we do not hear from them, we may turn the matter over to the Department of Revenue, which can place a lien on real property," the spokesman told me.
BOLI said they would also be willing to accept either a full payment or payment arrangements.
"Of course, they can also ask for a stay of enforcement while they pursue their appeal," the spokesman said.
But there's a catch. The person who will determine whether or not to stay the order—is BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian—a vocal supporter of the LGBTQIA movement.
"The judge, jury and executioner are all in one place," said Anna Harmon, the Kleins' attorney. "He is intent on using his office to root out thought and speech with which he personally disagrees."
Harmon, who is affiliated with Alliance Defending Freedom, said they were expecting the payment letter that came from BOLI.
"This letter, while it's the normal procedure, continues to show the state is not backing down," she told me. "They don't think they did anything wrong here."
Avakian's strong arm tactics against the Christian bakers have outraged Christians across the nation.
"This guy would make Mussolini proud," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research council. "This is a wannabe dictator."
It certainly appears that Avakian and the state of Oregon have declared war on the Klein family.
"Not only do they want to drive them out of business, but they want to make them homeless," Perkins told me.
The Kleins say they are filing a stay and do plan on appealing the state's decision.
"Brad and his cohorts at BOLI have overstepped their constitutional rights in requiring me to cease and desist from my constitutional freedom," Mr. Klein said. "I will fight them with every last breath I have."
Mrs. Klein said she would not be intimidated by Avakian's hard line tactics.
"We are so going to fight this, oh my gosh," she said. "It's making us stronger and emboldening us to stand up to this. Aaron and I are fighting for every American out there—for their freedom. We are not backing down at all."
And while the viciousness of the attacks against the Kleins might be unsettling—Harmon said it really should serve as a source of inspiration.
"What a time to be an American," she said. "It's a hard time—our freedoms are challenged—but what a time to be able to stand and have courage and say, 'I have a moment in time where I can be a voice for that.'"
And the Kleins are not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
"He definitely messed with the wrong Christians," Mrs. Klein told me.
Todd Starnes is host of Fox News & Commentary, heard on hundreds of radio stations. Sign up for his American Dispatch newsletter, be sure to join his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter. His latest book is God Less America.
My post 40 specifies the appropriate federal charge, 18 U.S. Code § 242 - Deprivation of rights under color of law, and as noted in post 116, there is no statute of limitations. We need to make sure that Avakian knows he will eventually receive justice through the rule of law, if he lives long enough.
Did you see photos of the Kleins?
I don’t get the piercings.
Good to know!
What photos? Never noticed piercings. Saw then on TV numerous times, too.
Mr.B wrote: Is there a way we can help them refuse?
Yes. We can start a nationwide petition to have Brad Avakian removed from office. Yes I know he was elected by Oregon voters, and ultimately Oregon voters would need to dump him.
But consider the larger context. Avakian—a pissant bureaucrat with no legal authority—is sending a message to Christians AND EVERYONE: obey or else. He’s setting a precedent of harassing and violating constitutional rights of business owners nationwide and this will NOT BE LIMITED TO CHRISTIAN BUSINESS OWNERS. We need to shine a nationwide light on this and send a powerful message back: WE WILL NOT OBEY.
People aren’t stupid. Many know the gay mafia is just the commie shock troops; they know they could be next. Even gays have contributed to the Kleins in support of their right to dissent. $200k in cash was raised in a few days to HELP the Kleins exclusively; think how many people would sign a petition in SOLIDARITY, knowing their own rights are on the line.
I really believe more than enough Oregonians would sign to get Avakian tossed, plus thousands more across the country.
I’d like to put it on moveon.org which is mainstream and likely to get lots of attention. And where it will likely be removed quickly. Which will just further expose the left and their tactics.
I would be willing to write the move on petition myself. It’s easy to do on their site.
The problem is, as soon as the commies shut it down, it would need to be moved to another site QUICKLY to not lose momentum. I’m no techie, I don’t have a site, and don’t have a clue how to set one up. It would need to be in place and ready.
The clock is ticking for the Kleins.
Any help or different ideas would be welcome.
And the point is?
“It is persecution and regardless of how it ends, the individual that is orchestrating that persecution will never be disciplined for it.”
Well, he won’t be disciplined by the civil authorities of the United States, that’s correct.
If this goes on, however, other forces will come into play.
Excellent points!
I thought I heard there was a GoFundMe for these folks. But, I think you're right. The last thing they should do is give in and pay the fine. Unless I'm missing something, let them put a lien on the house. Use the GoFundMe money to pay for legal representation. Then, when they win the appeal (if not the first, the last), the lien will come off and they should be no poorer for it.
That was great.
One of the better “hitlers” that I’ve seen.
Loved the explanation of ‘nazi’. Right on the money.
Thanks, Girlene
The following is the official Oregon government website:
http://industry.traveloregon.com/contact/
Travel Oregon Headquarters: Salem, Oregon
250 Church Street SE, Suite 100
Salem, OR 97301
Phone Number: (503) 967-1560 main line
I am still waiting to hear the outrage from black and Hispanic Christians over this. Nothing from them.
Here is the staff and their contact numbers:
Staff Directory
Andrews, Linda PDX Welcome Center Coordinator Linda@TravelOregon.com 503-284-4932
Astley, Carole Senior Manager, Industry & Visitor Services Carole@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1563
Bray-Sweet, Ariana Global Marketing Services Coordinator Ariana@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6182
Clair, Katy Account Executive, Global Marketing Katy@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6181
Dahl, Kristin Director, Destination Development Kristin@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6201
Dalgaard, Harry Destination Development Specialist Harry@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6202
Davidson, Todd Chief Executive Officer Todd@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1568
Duarte, Gabi Global Sales Project Manager Gabi@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6207
Eckhart, Greg Manager, Global Sales - Asia Greg@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6193
Forsha, Emily Content & Digital Community Manager, Global Integrated Marketing Emily@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6186
Gagliano, Linea Manager, Industry & Public Affairs Linea@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6184
George, Allison Industry & Visitor Services Manager AGeorge@TravelOregon.com 503-284-4932
Hackworth, Petra Director, Global Sales - Europe Petra@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6191
Hampton, Jeff Vice President, Operations Jeff@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1564
Hill, Jenny Executive Assistant to CEO & Commission Liaison Jenny@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1568
Itel, Lisa Manager, Global Sales - The Americas, Oceania LisaI@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6192
Jorgensen, Kate Project Manager, Global Integrated Marketing Kate@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6187
Keeney, Allison Global Communications Coordinator Allison@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6195
Lewis, Stephannie PDX Welcome Center Assistant Manager Steph@TravelOregon.com 503-284-4932
Marban, Bryant Global Integrated Marketing Production Coordinator Bryant@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6188
O'Neill, Teresa Vice President, Global Sales Teresa@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6190
Pace, Nastassja Destination Development Specialist Staj@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6203
Perry, Kendra Industry & Visitor Services Coordinator Kendra@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1561
Platanias, Heather Global Sales Administrative Assistant Heather@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6194
Sherifdeen, Mo Director, Global Integrated Marketing Mo@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6189
Stewart, Kathleen Accounting Manager Kathleen@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6176
Stryker-Whyte, Cheryl Executive Assistant/HR Generalist Cheryl@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1560
Sturdevant, Michael Director, Global Marketing Services Michael@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6183
Vizzini, Elena Destination Development Assistant Elena@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6204
Walker, Amy Global Marketing Brand Manager Amy@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6177
Watson, Sarah Executive Assistant to CEO & Commission Liaison Sarah@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1568
West, Scott Chief Strategy Officer Scott@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6200
Williams, Meredith Global Marketing Administrative Assistant Meredith@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6222
Woo, Judiaann Director, Global Communications Judiaann@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6185
Woodard, Michelle Industry Communications Content Editor MichelleW@TravelOregon.com 503-967-1566
Wright, Kevin Vice President, Global Marketing Kevin@TravelOregon.com 971-717-6181
Good plan.
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