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January 3, 2016

Public Advocate President Eugene Delgaudio Files Federal Brief to Defend Monifa Sterling

"I am hoping to God and am optimistic Sterling will be protected."

Eugene Delgaudio as president of the non-profit Public Advocate has filed
a federal brief defending the named defendent Sterling in "United States v. Sterling"
which is case No. 15-0510/MC in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Appeal from a Decision of U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals

The Amicus Brief is posted here.

Delgaudio's Motion For Leave To File A. Brief

Background on Court Martial and Case

Lance Corporal Monifa J. Sterling was an E-3 in the United States Marine Corps,
stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. At the time problems arose, her duties included
desk duty assisting other Marines with their access cards, and being stationed at the front gate
issuing parking passes.

In what she claimed was simply to provide motivational support for herself, rather than
send a message to others, Sterling printed out and posted three small pieces of paper with the
words "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" - her take on Isaiah 54:17. She posted
the three "signs" around her desk in a "trinity" formation allegedly to "protect her" from her
alleged tormenters.

On two separate occasions she was ordered to remove the signs, and twice
2 she refused. She was court-martialed for these offenses (and others), convicted, and sentenced
to a bad-conduct discharge and a reduction in rank to E-1.1

Statement of Eugene Delgaudio

"The Sterling case presents the highest military appeals court with the opportunity to
determine the scope of religious liberties enjoyed by enlisted personnel and our attornies
with this brief will defend the religious liberties of Sterling as it will impact every
practicing Christian in the U.S. military. Based the issues raised in our brief,
I am hoping to God and am optimistic Sterling and all Christians can be protected,"
says Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate.