Supremacist disagrees with ruling, sues judge

Peoria Journal-Star/December 27, 2002

East Peoria -- White supremacist Matt Hale is suing a Chicago-based federal judge who ruled last month that Hale's group violated the trademark of a similarly named group in Oregon.

The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Peoria, alleges U.S. District Judge Joan H. Lefkow was wrong when she barred Hale and anyone in Hale's World Church of the Creator from using any form of the "Church of the Creator" moniker.

The order came out of a lawsuit filed by a Christian organization, the Church of the Creator, that sued Hale in 2000 on the basis that Hale's group usurped their name.

Hale has refused to comply with the judge's ruling and is scheduled to appear before Lefkow on Jan. 8 to face a contempt charge.

In his suit, Hale alleges the order violates his free speech and his freedom of religion rights. The suit seeks unspecified damages and a permanent injunction against Lefkow's order.