News From The Week Of April 13 – April 17, 2020

Friend:

In these difficult times, I’m happy to offer you some good news about our work to protect the separation of religion and government amid this public health crisis.

Since the start of widespread social distancing, AU has been urging governors and courts to ensure that any bans on large gatherings don’t unconstitutionally exempt religious activities. This week, after AU’s correspondence, New Mexico revised its public health order to include houses of worship (Kansas did the same after receiving our letter earlier this month). And in Virginia, a judge refused to grant religious exemptions to the state’s ban on large gatherings after AU filed a legal brief in the case.

Our efforts to protect church-state separation are working – that’s why we’re keeping up the pressure. Yesterday, AU sent a letter to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ([link removed]) and filed a legal brief in another Virginia lawsuit ([link removed]), arguing for equal treatment of religious and secular gatherings in those states’ public health orders.

I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: Thank you, friend. Especially during times of crisis, it's your dedication and support that keeps our mission alive. We could not do our work without you.

And one last thing: I’ve now heard from nearly 100 of you in response to my question about how you’re doing, and it’s been so gratifying to connect. In fact, I just penned my May column for Church & State about your messages. If you haven’t yet been in touch, please keep the responses coming. They mean a lot to me and also our staff.

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

P.S. The deadline for AU’s 2020 Student Essay Contest is 11:59 pm tomorrow night! Learn more at au.org/essaycontest

During A Pandemic, The Trump Administration Steamrolls Ahead With Harmful ‘Faith-Based’ Regulations That Promote Discrimination:
It’s obvious that these harmful policies will hurt even more at a time when millions of Americans' lives and livelihoods are on the line.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Federal Court Should Reject Coronavirus Lawsuit By Misguided Calif. Clerics:
These pastors want to jeopardize California's success. What they’re after isn’t true religious freedom; they’re really seeking to use that noble principle as a cover for reckless actions – in this case, to spread a dangerous and potentially deadly sickness.
READ MORE » [link removed]

U.S. Department Of Justice Says Houses Of Worship Have No Constitutional Right To Ignore Public Health Orders:
Attorney General William Barr essentially agreed with Americans United: Government officials have the right to ban large gatherings as long as they treat religious and secular events the same.
READ MORE » [link removed]

The Coronavirus And Church-State Separation: Here’s The Latest News:
Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser addressed some of the church-state issues raised by the pandemic in a Religion News Service column that was published last Friday.
READ MORE » [link removed]

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