Air Force Class Action
Religious Exemptions
Sixth Circuit Upholds Ohio District Court Class-Wide Injunction Preventing Air Force from Mistreating Over 10,000 Air Force Members with Religious Exemptions to the Covid-19 Vaccination
November 29, 2022
Cincinnati, OH – On November 29, 2022, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the class-certification and class-wide national injunction protecting over 10,000 Air Force Members from being punished and separated because of their religious convictions against taking the currently available COVID-19 vaccines.
The Court held that under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, “the Air Force wrongly relied on its ‘broadly formulated’ reasons for the vaccine mandate to deny specific exemptions to the Plaintiffs, especially since it has granted secular exemptions to their colleagues.” And the Court held that “[t]he Plaintiffs have offered ‘[s]ignificant proof’—indeed, the evidence is undisputed—that the Air Force has a ‘uniform’ practice of denying religious exemptions to anyone who wants to remain in the service.”
Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Aaron Siri, Wendy Cox, and Elizabeth Brehm at Siri & Glimstad; Chris Wiest, with Chris Wiest Attorney at Law, PLLC; and Thomas Bruns, with Bruns, Connell, Vollmar & Armstrong, LLC.
CASE HIGHLIGHTS:
March 3, 2023: The Honorable Judge McFarland STAYS the case pending the 6th Circuit’s Decisions on the Defendant’s Pending Motion.pdf
September 9, 2022: The United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Air Force’s request for an emergency stay of the class-wide injunction currently protecting over 10,000 Air Force service members.
July 14, 2022: Judge McFarland grants Class Certification
July 14, 2022: Judge McFarland denies Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss
April 25, 2022: Defendants file a Motion to Dismiss
March 31, 2022: Judge McFarland issues a preliminary injunction for the original 18 Plaintiffs
March 2, 2022: Plaintiffs file Motion to Certify a Class
February 22, 2022: Plaintiffs file Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
February 16, 2022: Plaintiffs file
WHAT’S NEXT:
Discovery continues while we wait to see if Defendants appeal the 6th Circuits decision.
If you are a Class Member and are facing imminent adverse action by the Air Force, please contact us immediately.
As the case develops, we will update this page accordingly. Feel free to check back for any updates and important information for Class Members .
Media:
- Liberty Life: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION REQUEST TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT
- Yahoo News: Court blocks Air Force from punishing unvaccinated troops seeking religious waivers
- The HighWire (at 1:25 Minutes – Injunction Stops US Air Force)
- Fox 19 Now: Cincinnati federal judge blocks Air Force, Air National Guard globally from discharging religious vaccine refusers
- Thomas More Society: Federal Court Enters Preliminary Injunction Against Air Force COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
- Dayton Daily News: Federal judge grants preliminary injunction in Air Force vaccine case
- Air Force Times: Federal judge temporarily halts Air Force’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate
- Fox News: Federal judge pauses dismissal of Air Force members who refuse vaccination
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am a Class Member?
You are a Class Member if you:
- You are an active-duty, active reserve, reserve, national guard, inductees, and appointees of the United States Air Force and Space Force, including but not limited to Air Force Academy Cadets, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Cadets, Members of the Air Force Reserve Command, and any Airman who has sworn or affirmed the United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office or Enlistment and is currently under command and could be deployed, as of July 27, 2022; AND
- You submitted a religious accommodation request to the Air Force from the Air Force’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement, where the request was submitted or was pending, from September 1, 2021, to July 27, 2022; AND
- You were confirmed as having had a sincerely held religious belief substantially burdened by the Air Force’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement by or through Air Force Chaplains; AND
- You had your requested accommodation denied or have not had action on that request.
What does the current preliminary injunction (PI) protect me from?
Defendants, and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and other people acting in concert or participation with them, who receive notice of this preliminary injunction, are PRELIMINARILY ENJOINED from:
(i) taking, furthering, or continuing any disciplinary or separation measures against the Members of the Class for their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, while keeping in place the current temporary exemption; such disciplinary or separation measures include, but are not limited to, “adverse administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, administrative demotions, administrative discharges, and courts-martial”; for the benefit of Defendants, this includes continuing any administrative separation or punitive processes or initiating the same.
(ii) Defendants shall not place or continue active reservists on no points, no pay status for their refusal to get vaccinated for COVID-19 due to their sincerely held religious beliefs;
How do I reach someone at Siri & Glimstad if I have any questions about my specific situation?
First, please note that if Class Members need to take any affirmative action, we will update this page with that information. At this time, there is nothing you must do in order to be part of the Class; if you meet the criteria of a Class Member (listed above), then you are automatically part of the Class.
If you have concerns that you are not being treated by the Air Force as a Class Member, or if you have a question specific to your situation, please call us at 458-AIR FORC (458-247-3672) or email us at airforceclassaction@sirillp.com. We will endeavor to get back to you within 24 hours.
I read in Judge McFarland’s order that I can opt out of the class by sending an email to government counsel and class counsel, but should I?
It is your option whether to opt out of the class or not. It is important that you know that if you choose to opt out, you are removed from the class, and then we are unable to ensure your characterization of discharge, nor can we prevent any additional punitive administrative actions that may be taken against you for your alleged failure to follow a lawful order to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. We recommend that you speak with legal counsel (an Area Defense Counsel (ADC) or legal assistance attorney) before making any decision to opt out.
