Friend,

When the pandemic hit, Americans United already had its hands full with our ongoing battle against an administration hostile to church-state separation. Little did we know that our work would never be more important because we would be fighting efforts across the country to carve out dangerous – even deadly – religious exemptions to temporary bans on large gatherings necessary for public safety.

Our legal team is monitoring nearly twenty lawsuits that seek religious exemptions for houses of worship from these bans. We've filed seven briefs in these cases, and plan to file several more, urging courts to protect both religious freedom and public health by refusing to grant religious exemptions. AU’s policy experts have urged governors and state officials to do the same in a growing list of states including Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan, and New Mexico.

After receiving letters from AU, both New Mexico and Kansas changed their policies to include religious gatherings in their temporary bans.

But as governors who include religious services in social-distancing requirements continue to come under legal attack, it’s clear that our work defending church-state separation during this crisis is far from over.

Before I go on, will you please take a moment to support our continued leadership in defending religious freedom with a donation today? Click here to donate: [link removed]

Here’s the latest news: Just a few days ago, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced plans to exploit the public health crisis by proposing yet another taxpayer-funded private school voucher plan that will funnel up to $180 million in public money to private schools and for-profit entities.

This is the time for our government to support public schools that are already struggling to educate all children, not send taxpayer money to private entities – many of which are religious schools – that lack oversight, don’t improve student achievement and won’t serve all kids.

To help us ensure the government does not ignore your constitutional right to religious freedom and your community’s right to safety during this crisis, please click here to support AU with an urgent donation: [link removed]

This is a crucial time for us to uphold the Constitution, friend, and I am so thankful for your help as we continue our vital efforts to do just that.

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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