Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. Hialeah (1993)508 U.S. 520 | Rehnquist Court
Synopsis
The Court considered whether ordinances passed by the city of Hialeah, Florida, banning animal sacrifice violated the Free Exercise Clause. The texts of these laws and the way they operated showed that they were not neutral and generally applicable, but instead targeted the Santeria religion, in which animal sacrifice is an important ritual. In a unanimous decision, the Court held that because the ordinances were designed to persecute or oppress a religion or its practices, they violated the Free Exercise Clause.
FIRE’s First Amendment Library
Bill of Rights Institute: Landmark Cases
Has audio and transcript of oral arguments.
Includes helpful annotation.
Doug Linder’s Exploring First Amendment Law
Case Report in US Reports Volume 435, from Library of Congress