News From The Week Of January 4 – January 8, 2021

Friend:

I write to you today outraged, ashamed for our country, and more resolute in AU’s mission than ever before.

The violent invasion of the United States Capitol this week was not only an attempted coup, it was the product of an anti-democratic white Christian nationalism that knows no limits in pursuing power.

I know all of our supporters, like you, share in American United’s steadfast commitment to protecting the freedoms in the Constitution. The fact is, Wednesday’s violent attack on Congress threatened every freedom we claim, including religious freedom. Read AU’s full statement here: [link removed]

Many of the insurrectionists responsible carried signs calling on Jesus, wore clothing with anti-Semitic messages, and belonged to the same groups who profaned Black churches and assaulted their religious freedom in D.C. in December. Every one of them was incited into this attack by President Trump.

The spree of high-profile resignations from Trump officials, including members of the Cabinet like Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, are further signals that Trump’s anti-democratic urges have gone too far. But a resignation two weeks before the end of Trump’s term merits no exoneration. Sec. DeVos will always carry the weight of all she did to deprive 90% of America’s children of the funding their public schools needed.

We must remain as vigilant as ever for these remaining weeks, as the outgoing administration continues to issue new harmful policies, like the new Health and Human Services ([link removed]) rule that allows discrimination in social-service programs.

But look, even while we are reeling from these attacks, there is hope on the horizon. Georgia voters elected the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the U.S. Senate, shifting the balance of power in Washington. Despite the invasion of the Capitol, Congress finished its constitutional duty of certifying the free and fair election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States. Come January 20th, 2021, AU will be ready to advocate on all fronts for the freedoms we hold dear.

Whew – it’s been quite a start to 2021. Maybe we should just declare its official beginning January 20th?

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

Fans Of Public Education And Church-State Separation Won’t Miss Betsy DeVos:
Betsy DeVos has been one of Trump’s most loyal backers and stayed with him all four years. During that time, she ignored the needs of public schools and relentlessly promoted private school vouchers.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Christian Nationalists Try To Blame Trump’s Riot On Antifa:
The Religious Right has decided to take a page from Trump’s playbook and construct a “fake news” version of events: Trump supporters were not responsible for the violence at the Capitol, antifa was.
READ MORE » [link removed]

In The Wake Of This Week's Coup Attempt, Our Nation Needs Accountability:
Everyone who had a hand in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol must be held accountable by the law, by public opinion and by the rules of simple morality.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Being Violent, Misogynistic And Racist Is Nothing To Be Proud Of:
It’s tempting to want to stand up to the kind of hate peddled by the Proud Boys face to face on the streets, but in this case, that’s a recipe for more violence.
READ MORE » [link removed]

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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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