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Military

ACLU Teams Up with Anti-Obama Marine to Fight Dismissal

Sgt. Gary Stein
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Sgt. Gary Stein

In an unlikely alliance, the American Civil Liberties Union teamed up with Anti-Obama Marine Sgt. Gary Stein to fight his possible dismissal from the Marine Corps.

Stein is facing the boot for writing Facebook posts in which he said he would not follow the orders of Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama. He later changed those posts to say he would not follow unlawful orders.

The ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties announced on its website this morning that it would team up with Stein's civilian attorney, the Oathkeepers, and the United States Justice Foundation to stop a dismissal hearing for Stein scheduled for Thursday.

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David Loy, legal director for ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties, explains why the ACLU is defending Stein:

“The military may be different from the civilian world, but it’s not exempt from the First Amendment. Sergeant Stein didn’t say anything for which the Marine Corps has any right to punish him. He did not threaten order or discipline or take positions that anyone would attribute to the Corps. Indeed, the Corps is threatening loyalty and morale by persecuting a good Marine for exercising his free speech rights.”

Stein's legal team attempted to stop the dismissal hearing with a temporary restraining order, but a judge denied that request today.

Stein's dismissal hearing will be held tomorrow morning at Camp Pendleton.