The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is a conservative legal defense organization based in California. The group, founded by attorney Brad W. Dacus, describes itself as focusing on representation relating to "...religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties." PJI was declared an anti-LGBT hate group in 2014 by the Southern Poverty Law Center due to the group's long history of anti-LGBT rhetoric through its founder. The group also represents workers opposed to their employers' vaccine mandates.
Structure and Finances
PJI is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status under the IRS code, meaning contributions are tax deductible. It is headquartered in Sacramento and has four other office locations in California: Santa Ana, Oakland, Riverside, and San Diego. It was founded in 1997 by Brad Dacus, a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.
Positions and Activities
PJI has been involved in legislation, has filed amicus curiae briefs in legal cases and testified in state and federal legislatures.
PJI supported Proposition 8, a 2008 California ballot initiative that defined marriage as one man and one woman. The ballot initiative was overturned by the Hollingsworth v. Perry decision in 2013.
PJI opposed the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate provision.
PJI unsuccessfully opposed SB 1172, a 2012 California law that banned conversion therapy for children under 18.
PJI opposed the School Success and Opportunity Act, a 2013 California law which allows transgender public school students to use restrooms and play on sports teams that fit their gender identity. In 2013, Media Matters for America described the Pacific Justice Institute as the "LGBT Misinformer of The Year", because it had publicized a press release containing false claims against a transgender student that were based only on the complaints of an angry parent, as part of its campaign against the law. Media Matters stated that PJI "came pretty close to conceding" the story was not true. In 2014, PJI filed suit over whether a referendum against the law qualified for the November 2014 ballot.
PJI helped a neighborhood group successfully oppose the operating permit for a medical marijuana dispensary, in the only neighborhood in San Francisco without a local dispensary.
PJI represented a church that objected to a nightclub with "adult entertainment" locating next door. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PJI challenged public health restrictions on Church gatherings.
PJI represented a student who was suspended for distributing religious literature on public school grounds.
PJI represented people who had large Bible studies gatherings in a private home without a permit.
In 2019, PJI advocated against a California sex education law that required public schools to teach comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education (while allowing parents to opt their children out).
In 2020, PJI filed a lawsuit against Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on behalf of two churches over the reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Inslee relaxed the attendance restrictions after a federal appeals court sided with a church in a lawsuit in Nevada.
Litigation
Hartman v. Santa Clara County – PJI represented a doctor and a radiation therapist who objected to their employer's vaccine mandate. Both plaintiffs have religious objections to taking the shot for COVID-19.
Snatchko v. Galleria Mall – Youth pastor Matthew Snatchko was arrested at the Roseville Galleria Mall in 2007 for striking up a casual conversation with two other shoppers about faith. Although Snatchko had the shoppers' permission to broach the subject, a store employee called mall security guards, who arrested Snatchko. Criminal charges were dropped, but attorneys with PJI filed suit challenging the mall's restrictions on conversations between strangers. The trial court ruled in favor of the mall, but the Court of Appeal reversed, in a unanimous opinion, finding no legitimate basis for suppression of the youth pastor's speech.
Bible Club and R.G., a Minor by and through her Next Friend R.G. v. Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Dist., 573 F.Supp.2d 1291 (2008) – A federal court issued a preliminary injunction against a school district that refused to allow a high school student to start a Christian club at her school. The school only permitted "curriculum-related" groups to form on campus. The District settled after the court ruled that the club must be given equal access to meet, use school supplies, have an advisor, and a yearbook listing.