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Duke Amachree, Homelessness Prevention Officer, 1991-2009

• No wrongdoing, no breach of contract, unblemished record
• Compassionate family man
• Good servant of Council and community for 18 years
• A victim of prejudice

Stand with Duke for truth and justice
Win Duke his job back in time for Christmas

Duke's story

In January of this year, Duke was helping a client with her housing situation. The client had seen various doctors who had told her that she had an incurable medical condition. Out of compassion for her, Duke commented that sometimes the doctors don’t know everything –and encouraged her to consider putting her faith in God.

The client did not complain to Duke, but did go to his managers to report him. Two days later the managers knocked on Duke’s door as he was conducting another interview, asked him to finish up and then report to the Director’s office.

When he arrived, Duke was told that there had been a complaint and that he was being suspended with immediate effect. His pass was taken away and he was told not to make contact with any of his friends and colleagues or to come near the offices. He was then marched off the premises.

Why we must take action in the days to come to help Duke Amachree

At CLC and CCFON we all believe, that this is one of the most appalling if not the most appalling case we have ever seen. The way Duke was treated anyone would think he had been caught viewing pornography on an office computer. Yet all Duke did was extend the hand of compassion to a fellow human being in distress. What’s more, there was nothing in his employment contract to indicate that he was in any way not to speak about God.

Don't say 'God bless' or we sack you.

Incredibly, when our solicitor who represented Duke in the initial meeting with the employer asked what would have happened if Duke had simply said ‘God bless you’ to a client, the spokesperson for Wandsworth Council said it would have been advisable not to say that either.

Duke Amachree, a gentle, intelligent and kind-hearted family man living in Britain in 2009 has been found ‘guilty’ of an ‘offence’ which would amaze a visitor from any previous time in the history of Christianity in this country. Out of compassion he offered the hope of God to a woman in need. He breached no part of his contract. Yet he was marched off the premises and, after a period of suspension, was dismissed.

Please stand with CLC and people everywhere to support a good man in his fight for justice:

• Sign the petition
• Attend the Prayer Vigil
• Write to your MP (if you live in Wandsworth)
• Donate to the campaign

 

"I am pretty outraged by this horrible incident and the many others like it that go unnoticed. As an attorney, I feel I have an obligation to speak up, even if my expertise is in maritime law. Working out of New Orleans my practice supports injured maritime workers receive compensation for their medical expenses, etc. My practice is here. But it doesn't take a lawyer to see the problems with this case and I urge everyone to sign the petition and rectify this injustice." Bill Swift

 

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

3 December 2009

Statement Regarding DUKE AMACHREE

Today, 3rd December 2009, marks the launch of the ‘Justice For Duke’ Campaign, to win justice for Christian employee of Wandsworth Borough Council Duke Amachree, unfairly dismissed in July 2009 for mentioning God in the workplace. The campaign will include placement of London bus advertisements, political intervention, a day of prayer and a candlelight vigil outside Wandsworth Town Hall on the evening of the appeal. 

Although the Christian Legal Centre has seen a huge increase in cases of Christians suffering in the workplace the case of Duke Amachree, 53, and a father of 3, is one of the most astonishing for the extreme treatment of a long serving employee when there was no breach of contract and where the supposed ‘misdemeanour’ was the merest mention of God.

Andrea Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre, representing Mr Amachree, said today: “Duke’s case is an extraordinary example of the politically-correct but self–contradictory and intellectually and morally bankrupt culture of equality and diversity gone mad.

“Duke is a gentle, intelligent and compassionate man who served Wandsworth Council diligently for18 years – providing a vital service as a homelessness prevention officer.

“One day, in a client meeting, a woman spoke of her illness, which doctors had pronounced incurable. Moved by compassion Duke, a sincere and kind-hearted man of faith, offered comfort by commenting that sometimes the doctors don’t know everything and encouraging her to consider putting her faith in God. Two days later Duke was handed a letter informing him he had been suspended, had his ID pass confiscated and was escorted from the premises.

“Is this really the Britain we live in? Whether we have faith or not, to the mind of every reasonable person I speak to, this treatment is astonishing.

“We at the Christian Legal Centre are in full support of Duke Amachree and invite all reasonable people to call for Duke to be reinstated at his internal appeal hearing taking place at Wandsworth Town Hall on 15th December.

“We are posting a special campaign website www.justiceforduke.com. Details of upcoming events, including the Candlelight Vigil on 15 December will be listed there, as well as a blog and all news as the campaign develops. We hope this will be a rallying point of support for a good man terribly treated in a Britain nobody visiting our time from the 1950s would recognise or want to believe was real.

“Amazingly, Duke’s solicitor was even told in a meeting prior to Duke’s dismissal that it was not advisable to say ‘God bless’ either, giving rise to the very apt headline earlier this year ‘Say “God Bless” and We’ll Sack You’.

“I hope this campaign will not only win Duke back his job in time for Christmas but also send a signal that the majority of people in Britain, whatever their beliefs, can see this for what it is and demand a return to a proportionate, common sense approach to religious faith in our society. Indeed, this I believe would make an excellent Christmas present for us all”.

 

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More Background On JusticeForDuke.com

JusticeForDuke.com is a website dedicated to advocating for Duke Amachree, a former homelessness prevention officer who was dismissed from his job at Wandsworth Borough Council in 2009. The site serves as a hub for supporters to rally behind Duke, share information, and coordinate efforts to seek justice for his alleged wrongful termination.

Background and Purpose

Duke Amachree's story began when he offered spiritual encouragement to a client facing an incurable medical condition. Despite having a clean employment record and being known for his compassionate nature, Duke was suspended and subsequently dismissed for discussing religion in the workplace. The website was launched to garner public support, raise awareness, and fund legal actions to fight his dismissal.

Campaign Efforts and Public Mobilization

The website has played a pivotal role in mobilizing public support. Through petitions, prayer vigils, and media campaigns, JusticeForDuke.com has managed to keep Duke's case in the public eye. Notably, the site organized a candlelight vigil and placed advertisements on London buses to draw attention to the cause. These efforts highlight the community's dedication to advocating for religious freedom and fair treatment in the workplace.

Media Coverage and Public Reaction

The case of Duke Amachree has received significant media attention. Various news outlets and blogs have reported on the developments, reflecting a broad spectrum of opinions on the matter. Some articles have emphasized the perceived injustice and harshness of Duke's dismissal, while others have debated the appropriateness of discussing religion in a professional setting.

Cultural and Social Significance

The campaign for Duke Amachree underscores broader cultural and social issues, such as the intersection of religion and professional life, and the boundaries of free speech in the workplace. The controversy touches on themes of religious discrimination and the limits of political correctness, sparking discussions about the role of personal beliefs in public service roles.

Public History and Social Advocacy

The case of Duke Amachree serves as a reminder of the importance of public history and social advocacy. JusticeForDuke.com has become more than just a campaign site; it represents a call to action for individuals who believe in the right to express one's faith without fear of retribution. It also illustrates how digital platforms can be leveraged to support social justice causes, rallying people across the globe to stand in solidarity.

Support and Community Involvement

Community support has been a cornerstone of the Justice for Duke campaign. The website has facilitated a space for people to voice their support, share their own experiences with religious discrimination, and contribute to the legal fund. This sense of community has been instrumental in sustaining the campaign over the years, demonstrating the power of collective action.

Legal and Political Implications

The legal battle spearheaded by the Christian Legal Centre on behalf of Duke Amachree has raised important questions about employment law and religious rights. The case has implications for how religious expression is treated within the framework of UK employment regulations. The outcomes of this case could potentially influence future legislation and workplace policies regarding religious expression.

 

JusticeForDuke.com is a powerful example of how digital advocacy can amplify the voices of those who feel wronged. Through persistent efforts and widespread community support, the campaign for Duke Amachree continues to highlight critical issues related to religious freedom, workplace rights, and social justice. The website remains a focal point for ongoing support and a testament to the enduring fight for fairness and equity in all spheres of life.

In summary, JusticeForDuke.com stands as a beacon for advocacy, demonstrating the impact of collective action and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs in the face of adversity. The case of Duke Amachree, through the lens of this campaign, encourages ongoing dialogue about the balance between personal beliefs and professional conduct in contemporary society.