News From The Week Of May 18 – May 22, 2020

Friend:

Yesterday President Trump threatened to “override” the authority of any governors who refuse his demand to reopen houses of worship this weekend. Not only does Trump lack the authority to do that, he’s unconstitutionally trying to grant special privileges to religion that put all of our lives at risk.

As I said in my statement, the president’s demand to immediately reopen houses of worship in all 50 states regardless of the local coronavirus circumstances is irresponsible, reckless, and will tragically lead to more deaths. Like we saw in the devastating experience of one church in Arkansas ( [link removed]), houses of worship have been common vectors for transmission of the virus. Americans United is calling on state officials to ignore Trump’s dangerous demand. Read my full statement here: [link removed]

Already courts in at least 21 cases across the country have ruled against religious exemptions for houses of worship, and AU has been involved in 17 such cases. Just this week in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, the judge called AU’s friend-of-the-court brief “timely and useful” in her decision to deny a high-profile request for a religious exemption from Gov. Hogan’s public health order ([link removed]).

Friend, as our communities begin to chart a path back to a new normal, we must proceed cautiously. President Trump’s cynical pandering to his religious extremist base cannot be allowed to dictate states’ reopening plans and endanger millions of lives.

This Memorial Day weekend, as we remember our nation’s military heroes, I hope you and your loved ones stay safe, healthy, and well. Please feel free to drop us a line about how you’re doing, and thank you for being such a loyal supporter of Americans United.

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

Betsy DeVos Is Using The Coronavirus Pandemic To Push School Vouchers:
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos's 'microgrants' are private school vouchers by another name.
READ MORE » [link removed]

A Washington State Lawmaker Who Sought ‘Biblical Law’ Is Leaving Public Office:
Christian nationalism is an organized movement of people who oppose church-state separation and who yearn to compel all of us to live under their disturbing version of 'biblical law.'
READ MORE » [link removed]

Louisiana Pastor Who Wants To Ignore Public Health Orders Is Rebuffed In Court:
While there are some exceptions, most courts are taking the reasonable route and upholding neutral bans on large gatherings, religious and secular, during this difficult time.
READ MORE » [link removed]

The American People Are Wary Of Trump’s Rush To Reopen Houses Of Worship:
President Donald Trump and members of his administration continue to push for a full reopening of the country, and increasingly they are prodding houses of worship to lead the way.
READ MORE » [link removed]

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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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