One Billion Dollar Lawsuit Against Detroit and Police Department

Soul Tribes International Ministries (Soul Tribes), A prominent religious organization, known for its unique approach to spirituality through the sacramental consumption of Sacred (Psilocybin) Mushrooms, has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the City of Detroit and its Police Department. The organization claims intentional violation of its constitutional rights to free exercise of religion and expression.

Last month, the City of Detroit launched a controversial raid and subsequently filed a baseless and discriminatory nuisance lawsuit against Soul Tribes and its members. The lawsuit alleges that Soul Tribes engaged in the dispensation of its Holy Sacrament, Sacred (Psilocybin) Mushrooms to its membership, which the City contends is an “unlawful” activity under the Michigan Nuisance Statute. Notably, the statute itself lacks a clear definition of this term, raising questions about the legitimacy of the City’s claims.

In addition to advocating for the free exercise rights of Soul Tribes against the City’s severe infringement thereupon, the attorneys, acting on behalf of and at the request of Soul Tribes, are also asserting counterclaims against the City of Detroit and Detroit Police Department to recover $1 billion in economic damages.

Also seeking injunctive and declaratory relief from the Hon. Patricia Fresard’s preliminary injunction on November 16, 2023, which compelled the Church to shut down its building until a full trial on the merits. This significant case delves into highly important and intricate matters pertaining to the rights of religious freedom under both the State and Federal constitutions, as well as the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims. These claims address the targeted and deliberate infringement upon the Church’s and its members’ free exercise rights by the City and its employees.

Shaman Shu, the esteemed spiritual leader and spokesperson for Soul Tribes International Ministries, highlights the immense significance of these legal advancements. He firmly asserts, “Our unwavering commitment lies in safeguarding the religious liberties of our esteemed Church, its devoted members, and all individuals across this nation who yearn for a direct connection with their divine creator. We strive to facilitate this transcendent communion through the secure, serene, hallowed, and controlled utilization of psychedelic/entheogenic sacraments, just as our ancestors have reverently practiced for millennia.

Sixty percent of Detroit citizens approved Proposition E, Detroit’s decriminalization measure November 3, 2021, which overtly permits the conduct at issue in the City’s nuisance suit.

However, there have been no instances of intrusion upon the secular use of the substances listed therein. Additionally, Soul Tribes maintains that the city does not engage in raids on any other place of worship using assault rifles, or seize its sacrament unlawfully and without due process.

The Church firmly believes that the evidence clearly demonstrates that it was singled out due to the fundamental nature of its beliefs and practices, rather than being a source of inconvenience for the City..

“While the fentanyl, opiate, and meth epidemics continue to grow and expand at exponential and alarming rates, and the death count continues to mount, the Church is unable to ascertain how mounting such an offensive against its’ Church, whose sacrament has been scientifically shown to effectively treat addiction and other conditions which plague the growing mental health crisis. While our Church members worked hard to get the signatures necessary to pass Proposal E, our Church was rewarded by the city with a raid, sacrament seizure, and civil nuisance suit filed against it, effectively shutting down its doors for an indeterminable amount of time. The monetary and spiritual/religious damages suffered in this case by the Church, its membership, and the wider Detroit Metro Community, while in many regards incalculable, are likely well over $1 billion. The Church’s decision to partner with Cannabis Counsel and Attorney George Lake reflects its dedication to securing the best possible legal representation and expertise in this complex case.”

The City of Detroit has yet to respond to the lawsuit. Soul Tribes International Ministries remains committed to protecting their religious liberty, striving for a resolution that upholds and safeguards psychedelic/entheogen-based religious practices as guaranteed in our Constitutions and laws. It is their unwavering pursuit to ensure these practices are indefinitely preserved and protected.