News From The Week Of March 8 – March 12, 2021

Friend:

Today marks one year since the entire staff of Americans United started working from home at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Like with many organizations, it was an unprecedented transformation. Just a few days later, we were featured in the New York Times article “Working From Home in Washington? Not So Great": [link removed]

The year was undoubtedly rough. It included a global pandemic, a painful racial reckoning, a bruising Supreme Court confirmation battle and a fourth year of President Donald Trump’s war on church-state separation – and on democracy itself. My colleagues have had to battle everything from losing parents to homeschooling children to feeling isolated and lonely.

Nevertheless, they brought their all and then some to the many new and old challenges coming our way.

Let me share just a few highlights. In addition to organizing AU’s successful National Advocacy Summit, our Outreach team also launched our first-ever Youth Organizing Fellowship ([link removed]) and new AU Action Network ([link removed]). Our Legal Department filed 47 friend-of-the court briefs (and counting) fighting dangerous religious exemptions from COVID-19 public safety orders ([link removed]). Our Public Policy team, amidst battling a spate of discriminatory Trump regulations, created a 10-point agenda to reclaim religious freedom that we shared with the Biden-Harris administration ([link removed]).

To learn more about AU’s work through the pandemic, click here to read my column “A COVID Year Chronicle: AU Is Home – But Not Alone” online: [link removed]

This year has shown me that, when it comes to AU, everything is possible – even over Zoom. The commitment we have to protecting the separation of church and state is unmatched by anyone… that is, except by you. Thanks for being so loyally with us throughout this challenging year.

With hope and determination,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

A COVID Year Chronicle: AU Is Home – But Not Alone:
AU President and CEO Rachel Laser reflects on how, even during a difficult year, everything is possible with a dedicated team and loyal supporters – and an assist from Zoom.
READ MORE » [link removed]

A Baptist Pastor Provides A Timely Reminder On The Meaning Of Religious Freedom:
The Rev. David W. Key Sr. from Emory University in Georgia offers a helpful reminder of the dangers of allowing religious freedom to become an instrument to harm others, especially members of the LGBTQ community.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Christian Nationalists Are The Original Proponents Of ‘Cancel Culture’:
Conservative religious groups have a long, sorry track record of trying to control what we can read, see and experience.
READ MORE » [link removed]

The ‘Culture Wars’ Aren’t Over Just Yet:
Well-heeled Christian nationalist organizations will also do all they can to keep culture war issues alive. They’ve been attacking President Joe Biden since his election.
READ MORE » [link removed]

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