Judge dismisses ‘frivolous’ SLAPP suit against historic Alabama churches

BELLE MINA, Ala. – Today an Indiana judge dismissed a lawsuit against two small, historic Alabama churches and a pastor that attempted to punish them for exercising their right to oppose a highly disruptive quarry in their community.

Elephants R Us, an LLC formed by Keith Sharp and his family members, is one of the entities behind the controversial and harmful Belle Mina quarry. Elephants R Us sued Belle Mina Methodist and its pastor, New Beginnings Covenant Ministries, and another Belle Mina resident demanding $1.6 million in damages plus attorney’s fees and costs because the defendants allegedly  “interfered” with a lease contract between Elephant R Us LLC and another entity owned by the Sharp family, Stoned LLC, because they spoke out against the harmful impacts of the quarry.

This type of lawsuit is known as a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP suit, and is meant to intimidate and silence opposition to the quarry, attacking citizen’s freedom to express their views and concerns.

“Just like David didn’t hesitate to stand up to Goliath, our community won’t back down from this fight,” said Cody Gilliam, pastor of Belle Mina Methodist Church, and a named defendant in the lawsuit. “This quarry is irreparably harming our community. These intimidation attempts won’t stop us from sounding the alarm.”

“These attempts to bully us, intimidate us, and silence us won’t work,” said Eddie Walton, pastor of New Beginnings Covenant Ministries. “We are committed to defending Belle Mina against this reckless, harmful quarry for the long haul.”

“We are grateful the Court saw through this frivolous case and dismissed it. This was an attempt to intimidate these churches and drag them into costly litigation in Indiana, where they have no connections,” said Sarah Stokes, a senior attorney in SELC’s Alabama office. SELC worked with counsel in Indiana to defend the churches and pastor and obtain dismissal of the SLAPP suit. “Now we can get back to the real issues–defending Belle Mina from the harmful impacts of this destructive quarry.”

SELC also represents New Beginnings Covenant Ministries and Belle Mina Methodist Church, as well as two additional historic Belle Mina churches and residents in a pending lawsuit against Stoned , Grayson Carter & Son, Inc, and Elephants R Us in Limestone County, AL Circuit Court for the destructive impacts the construction and operation the companies’ limestone quarry and rock crushing facility have on residents and church members. A preliminary injunction hearing to stop the quarry’s harmful operations until trial is set for January 7, 2026.

The quarry threatens the historic Belle Mina community’s way of life. The boundary of the 199-acre limestone quarry and rock crushing facility extends to within approximately 25 feet from residential properties, and three churches are located within half a mile of the quarry. Construction and operation of the quarry interfere with many residents’ daily lives, subjecting them to air pollution, road degradation, noise pollution, and impacts to groundwater and Limestone Creek.