KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Twelve more student athletes have joined a recent lawsuit against Western Michigan University (WMU) over its vaccination policies.
Previously, four soccer players at WMU had challenged the school’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for athletes, saying it violates their Christian beliefs.
Emily Dahl, Bailey Korhorn, Morgan Otteson and Hannah Redoute said that they were denied religious exemptions, and that the school does not require the general student body to be vaccinated.
Following that development, a temporary restraining order was issued by Judge Paul Maloney, who said that the players will be allowed to stay on the team while the lawsuit is ongoing.
The temporary restraining order means that WMU cannot prevent the four team members from participating. Maloney adds that the suit may succeed based on religious freedom laws, and the next court discussion will take place Thursday, September 9.
This week, it was reported by WWMT that 12 more student athletes had joined the lawsuit for the same reasons, all from various athletic teams.
WMU maintains the the vaccine requirement is in the best interest of public health, and athletes who do not receive the vaccine will not lose scholarships, although they will not be able to play under the current policy.
An additional update is expected after the next court hearing Thursday.
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