Fighting Back Against Project 2025 audotorg 2024-07-11 | Project 2025 is an unprecedented threat to democracy, equality, and religious freedom in America. And that threat is very real.That’s why Americans United is sharing the story of Liz and Gabe Rutan-Ram, a Jewish couple in Knox County, Tenn. Liz and Gabe were denied the chance to adopt a child in Florida by a state-funded foster care agency – solely because Liz and Gabe are Jewish. After trying to provide a loving, stable home for this child, they were subjected to outrageous and unacceptable religious discrimination. As Gabe Rutan-Ram explains in this new video, “If Project 2025 can come for us, it can come for anyone.”
Screening & Discussion of For Our Daughters with Dr. Kristin Du Mez & AU’s Rachel Laser audotorg 2024-10-17 | Join us for an exclusive screening of For Our Daughters: Stories of Abuse, Betrayal, and Resistance in the Evangelical Church* followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring: - Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and - Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, creator/author of Jesus and John Wayne and professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. *Trigger warning: This film includes discussion of sexual and spiritual abuse, topics that may also be addressed during the panel discussion.
Unleashing Change at the Summit for Religious Freedom! audotorg 2024-09-27 | SRF 2024 was THE spot to come together and fight for religious freedom, church-state separation, and all the must-have rights like LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and keeping public schools chill and inclusive. protecting public schools. Whether you’re a day-one activist or just now waking up to how these issues shape our democracy and equality, SRF’s got room for everyone.Together, we tackle the biggest challenges,from Christian Nationalism to right-wing radicals, and their relentless push to impose narrow religious beliefs on us all.Ready for the highlights? Check out what went down IRL and virtually at SRF 2024 in Washington, D.C., and see how we're teaming up to protect what matters.
Know Your Rights: Religious Freedom in Public Schools audotorg 2024-09-13 | This webinar features AU Staff Attorney Ian Smith and AU Vice President and Legal Director Rebecca Markert, who spoke about religious-freedom rights in public schools for students, parents, and educators and gave recent examples of violations, like mandatory Ten Commandments postings, school chaplains, and religion-infused curriculum happening in states across the country.
2024 SRF & Hill Day Highlights audotorg 2024-08-09 | SRF is the hub for our collective fight for religious freedom, church-state separation, and the issues that depend on them like LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, protecting public schools, and more. It’s a big tent — welcoming everyone from longtime advocates, to those just discovering the issue and its critical role in protecting our democracy, our equality, and our rights. We’re collaborating to defeat the biggest threats to these values including Christian nationalism, right-wing radicals, and their coordinated campaign to force us to all live by their narrow, religious beliefs.Here are some of the biggest highlights from SRF 2024, which was held both in Washington, D.C., and virtually.
Webinar: Unmasking Christian Nationalism audotorg 2024-07-22 | This webinar features a timely discussion about the importance of church-state separation in the battle against Christian Nationalism. Panelists include AU President & CEO Rachel Laser, Rev. Dr. Lori Walke and Dr. Samuel L. Perry. This event was co-hosted by the Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Project 2025 audotorg 2024-07-17 | Project 2025 is a plan for restructuring the federal government so that Christian Nationalists can make everyone follow their narrow religious beliefs. Right in the introduction to Project 2025 it calls for “deleting” LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive freedom, and diversity, equity and inclusion from “every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation, and piece of legislation that exists.”Learn more: act.au.org/P25toolkit
2024 SRF Hill Day Highlights audotorg 2024-06-25 | One of the perks of attending in person at the 2024 Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) was our unique opportunity to participate in Hill Day on April 16. It was a chance for attendees to have face-to-face conversations on Capitol Hill with congressional staff and to talk about the importance of church-state separation.
2024 Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) Highlights audotorg 2024-06-25 | SRF is the hub for our collective fight for religious freedom, church-state separation, and the issues that depend on them like LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, protecting public schools, and more. It’s a big tent — welcoming everyone from longtime advocates, to those just discovering the issue and its critical role in protecting our democracy, our equality, and our rights. We’re collaborating to defeat the biggest threats to these values including Christian nationalism, right-wing radicals, and their coordinated campaign to force us to all live by their narrow, religious beliefs.Here are some of the biggest highlights from SRF 2024, which was held both in Washington, D.C., and virtually.
Louisiana Ten Commandments Lawsuit Press Call audotorg 2024-06-24 | Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Louisiana, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and pro bono counsel Simpson Thacher Bartlett LLP host a press conference call to discuss the lawsuit filed June 24, 2024, on behalf of Louisiana families challenging HB 71, a new Louisiana law that requires all public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Americans United Youth Organizing Fellowship Info Session audotorg 2024-05-31 | The Youth Organizing Fellowship is a paid opportunity to grow as a leader, build power with a national cohort of youth organizers, and advocate for the separation of church and state and inclusive religious freedom, including the issues that depend on them like abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, strong public schools and a functioning democracy. Applications are open for Americans United’s Youth Organizing Fellowship until June 30, 2024. Learn more at au.org/youthfellows
Sanchi Rohira: 2024 David Norr Youth Activist Award audotorg 2024-04-24 | At the 2024 Summit for Religious Freedom, we were pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 David Norr Youth Activist Award: Sanchi Rohira! Sanchi is a Senior at Georgetown University and she has demonstrated leadership and courage in taking action on her campus and in her community to protect and advance church-state separation. Named in honor of the late David Norr, a staunch advocate and supporter of Americans United and church-state separation for over 35 years, this award goes to an individual or group who goes above and beyond to advocate for the separation of church and state.
God & Country Exclusive Webinar Discussion audotorg 2024-02-14 | An exclusive, behind-the-scenes sneak peek of “God & Country.” Based on author Katherine Stewart’s book The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, “God & Country” looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic but Christianity itself. This free, virtual event will include clips of the documentary, a panel discussion with people involved in the film, and an audience Q&A.
Freedom Fighter: Rachel Laser, CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State audotorg 2023-10-02 | Rachel Laser is a lawyer, advocate and strategist who has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive. She knows that we must shield our laws from any religion’s influence in order to be able to come together as equals and build a stronger democracy. Rachel has a proven track record of uniting both faith and secular leaders and advocacy organizations to make real progress on some of the most important issues of our time.
Devin Huynh: Third Place High School Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
Lyric Williams: Second Place High School Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
Hannah Kamseuh: First Place High School Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
Patience Wallace: Third Place College Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
London Cobb: Second Place College Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
Emily Ciulla: First Place College Video Winner audotorg 2023-09-25 | AU’s annual contest encourages students to reflect on why religious freedom and church-state separation are important to them and their communities—and what they can do to ensure religious freedom is a shield that protects the rights of everyone to practice religion according to their own beliefs, or not practice at all, as long as they don’t harm others.This year they were asked to respond to the following prompt: "What is your vision for church-state separation? What would happen if we secured separation of church and state in the United States, and all people were able to live as themselves and believe as they choose?"
Bradley Whitford & Amy Landecker: Exposing Christian Nationalism audotorg 2023-07-14 | Is America sliding toward a Christian Nationalist state like The Handmaid’s Tale? How does church-state separation impact LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, inclusive public education and democracy? What can you do to fight back? Americans United President and CEO Rachel K. Laser recently sat down to answer these questions with talented actors Bradley Whitford and Amy Landecker, who you’ll recognize from shows like The West Wing, Transparent, The Handmaid’s Tale, and more. Together, they discuss why America needs a national recommitment to church-state separation, and their personal motivations for being involved in this pivotal fight and signing the “One Nation, All Beliefs” pledge: au.org/pledgeChapters:0:00 Introduction0:31 Why we Need A National Recommitment to Church-State Separation2:13 Values of Radical Inclusion 3:08 The Handmaid's Truth6:01 The Political Is Personal 13:08 One Nation, All Beliefs19:33 Gen Z Fights Back22:19 The Human Side of Church-State Separation25:36 The Supreme Court and Religion29:38 The Quiet Part Out Loud30:53 The Attack on Public Schools33:10 Why Is Church-State Separation Important to You?
One Nation All Beliefs audotorg 2023-05-10 | Church-state separation is the foundation of religious freedom in the United States. Guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, this principle forms the backbone of many fundamental rights we rely on today: reproductive freedom, LGBTQ equality, access to inclusive public education, and much more. But these bedrock American values are increasingly threatened by religious extremists who want to impose their narrow beliefs on us all.To restore and strengthen this pillar of American democracy, we recommit to the separation of church and state.
Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center are challenging Missouri’s abortion bans audotorg 2023-05-08 | Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the National Women’s Law Center, leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice, are challenging Missouri’s draconian abortion bans on behalf of THIRTEEN clergy from SIX different denominations. Our plaintiffs include an Episcopal bishop, an orthodox Jewish maharat, a United Methodist pastor and state legislator, as well as Reform Jewish rabbis and United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist ministers. Fittingly, we filed just days after Religious Freedom Day and before the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
2023 Summit For Religious Freedom (SRF) Highlights audotorg 2023-05-02 | Thanks to the work of AU’s staff, the excellence of our SRF speakers and presenters, and the engagement of the hundreds of advocates who joined us in Washington, D.C., and online, our inaugural Summit For Religious Freedom was a huge success! Here are some highlights from the conference. Photos taken by Lena Moreno and Sebastian Vizcarra, as well as Americans United staff and SRF attendees.
The Plaintiffs Behind AUs Missouri Abortion Ban Lawsuit audotorg 2023-03-21 | Americans United and National Women's Law Center are suing Missouri to challenge the state's draconian abortion bans. We represent 13 faith leaders from diverse religious backgrounds who believe in abortion rights. Abortion bans are an assault on their religious freedom and the separation of church and state. These are their stories.
Missouris abortion bans violate church-state separation audotorg 2023-02-01 | Abortion bans impose one narrow religious doctrine on everyone. These bans violate the separation of church and state. Learn more about this case here: act.au.org/missouri-lawsuit
Abortion Bans Violate Church-State Separation audotorg 2023-01-20 | Abortion bans impose one narrow religious doctrine on everyone. These bans violate the separation of church and state. act.au.org/missouri-ytThank you to Amy Brenneman, Hunter Doohan, Tommy Dorfman, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Sarah Jones, Amy Landecker, Mary McCormack, Arian Moayed, Sarah Paulson, Kate Walsh, Michaela Watkins and Bradley Whitford for speaking out in support of church-state separation and abortion rights!
Americans United and National Womens Law Center challenge Missouri’s Abortion Ban In Court audotorg 2023-01-20 | Abortion bans impose one narrow religious doctrine on everyone. These bans violate the separation of church and state. Learn more about this case here: act.au.org/missouri-lawsuit
CEO & President of AU Rachel Laser speaks to NPR News Now audotorg 2023-01-05 | CEO and President of AU Rachel Laser explains the harm of the Denial of Care Rule on NPR News Now.
Teddys 2022 Thanksgiving Thank You audotorg 2022-11-23 | Teddy Laser expresses gratitude for our amazing AU supporters.
Church-State Separation Impacts All of Our Lives audotorg 2022-09-01 | Hear AU Youth OrganFellows, Staff and interns illustrate how church-state separation plays an important role in all of our day to day lives.
The Legal Academy - Nargis Aslami Testimony audotorg 2022-08-25 | Yale Law student Nargis Aslami shares her thoughts on the Legal Academy and its impact.
Americans United Celebrates 75 Years audotorg 2022-07-22 | Americans United celebrates 75 years of fighting for religious freedom.
Post-Decision Day Briefing: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District audotorg 2022-06-29 | Tune is as we discuss the outcome of the case and what it means for church-state separation going forward. Featuring: Rachel Laser, AU President & CEOGabi Hybel, AU Madison Legal Fellow (and an attorney in this case)Rev. Doug Avilesbernal, Executive Minister at Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches Hosted by Brian Silva, AU VP for Outreach & Engagement
Rachel Laser Discusses Kennedy v. Bremerton School District on Newsy Tonight With Chance Seales audotorg 2022-06-28 | AU President & CEO Rachel Laser Discusses Kennedy v. Bremerton School District on Newsy Tonight With Chance Seales
Post-Decision Day Briefing: Carson v. Makin audotorg 2022-06-28 | Watch AU's outstanding panel of legal and policy experts as they explain the Carson decision and its implications, what it means for AU’s work going forward, and offer thoughts on what people can do in response to it.
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District Press Call audotorg 2022-06-27 | AU’s President & CEO Rachel Laser and Vice President & Legal Director Richard Katskee spoke with the press on Monday, June 27, 2022 after the Supreme Court released their devastating decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.
Defending church-state separation at SCOTUS: Kennedy v Bremerton School District oral argument rally audotorg 2022-06-16 | For more than seven years, Joseph Kennedy, a former assistant football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington, delivered prayers to students on the 50-yard line immediately after games. When the Bremerton School District learned what Kennedy was doing, it sought to accommodate his religious beliefs by offering him time and space to pray before and after games where students would not feel coerced to participate. But Kennedy refused, insisting instead that h\e must be allowed to continue having the midfield prayers with students at games. After he announced to the media his plan to continue having the prayers, community members stormed the field to join him after the game, knocking over some students in the process. The School District was thus left with no choice but to place him on paid administrative leave. And instead of reapplying to be a coach the next year, as all coaches were required to do every spring, Kennedy sued the School District in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. After both the district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied Kennedy’s motion for a preliminary injunction, the Supreme Court denied review, but some of the Justices expressed possible future interest in the case. The case then went back to the district court, which denied Kennedy’s claims, granting summary judgment in favor of the School District. On appeal to the Ninth Circuit, Americans United filed an amicus brief on behalf of a wide array of religious and civil-rights organizations, and Americans United’s Vice President and Legal Director Richard Katskee delivered oral argument before the Ninth Circuit in support of the School District. A panel of the Ninth Circuit again ruled for the School District. Americans United then began representing the school district, along with Michael B. Tierney of Tierney, Correa & Zeinemann, P.C., and successfully defeated the coach’s request for further review by the entire Ninth Circuit. Kennedy then sought Supreme Court review a second time. In early December, 2021, we filed the School District’s opposition to Kennedy’s petition for review. In that brief, we explained that Kennedy’s insistence to the Court that he was fired for private prayer is false; rather, he was placed on leave after he refused to stop having public prayer that coerced students and families. We also explained that for the Supreme Court to reverse the judgment of the lower courts, it would have to rewrite decades of settled law on what constitutes government speech and what amounts to a church-state violation. The Supreme Court announced on January 14, 2022, that it would take the case. Americans United filed its merits brief with the Court in late March. On April 25, 2022, AU Legal Director Richard Katskee delivered oral argument at the Court. We expect a decision by the end of June.
Education for all: Advocating for public education in Florida audotorg 2022-06-13 | Public funding should go to public schools that are inclusive and welcome to all. One June 6, 2022, Americans United Youth Organizing Fellow Vicki Williams hosted a panel of speakers discussing the Florida education system, specifically the impact of vouchers on schools and students. AU’s Nik Nartowicz spoke on the discriminatory nature of the voucher system in Florida, joined by graduates of the Florida school system and Hillsborough County School Board Karen Perez who voiced the impact on students and school districts.
Youth Organizing Fellowship Information Session for Applicants audotorg 2022-06-03 | Americans United is accepting applications until July 5th for our next cohort of Youth Organizing Fellows. Watch this information session to learn more about what to expect from the program and the application process, including the firsthand experience of current fellows.
AUs Richard Katskees Opening Statement in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District audotorg 2022-05-26 | Listen to AU Legal Director and Vice President Richard Katskee's powerful opening statement before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case on April 25, 2022.
Livestream at the Supreme Court audotorg 2022-04-26 | We’re live at the Supreme Court for the oral arguments in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. #NoPrayToPlay #SupportDistrict
AU and Bremerton Clergy Defend TRUE Religious Freedom at the Supreme Court audotorg 2022-04-25 | Americans United was outside of the Supreme Court on April 25th in preparation for the oral arguments in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.
The Rev. Susan Griggs Speaks Out for Religious Freedom in Bremerton audotorg 2022-03-30 | Listen to The Rev. Susan Griggs speak out to support the religious freedom of Bremerton students and all Americans.
The Rev. Gregory Reffner of Bremerton Speaks Out for Religious Freedom audotorg 2022-03-30 | Listen to The Rev. Gregory Reffner of Bremerton speak out to support the religious freedom of Bremerton students and all Americans.
The Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal Speaks Out for Religious Freedom in Bremerton audotorg 2022-03-30 | Listen to The Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal speak out to support the religious freedom of Bremerton students and all Americans.
The Rev. Kathleen Kingslight of Bremerton Speaks Out for Religious Freedom audotorg 2022-03-30 | Listen to The Rev. Kathleen Kingslight of Bremerton speak out to support the religious freedom of Bremerton students and all Americans.
Bremerton Faith Leaders Speak Out for Religious Freedom audotorg 2022-03-29 | Bremerton faith leaders speak out to support the religious freedom of Bremerton students and the constitutional rights of all Americans.
AUs Rachel Laser Discusses the Importance of Church-State Separation on Newsys The Why audotorg 2022-02-10 | AU President & CEO Rachel Laser discusses why church-state separation is crucial to our democracy and the current threats religious freedom faces in our country.
