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Dear John,
For the past two years, our right to live according to our faith has been under attack in every facet of our lives.
We’ve been threatened at work, silenced in our schools, canceled in our communities and locked-out of our houses of worship.
Throughout this year’s struggles, I keep coming back to one pivotal question: “What are we really fighting against?”
The truth is, we’re not just fighting against misguided political policies.
It goes much deeper than that. It strikes to the very core of who we are as a nation: whether this country is built on freedom or tyranny. In fact, government is most dangerous when it thinks its “good” purpose justifies taking away the freedom of its citizens.
We are battling for the very foundation on which America rests. And we’ve been fighting this essential battle for quite some time now.
Make no mistake—the radical politicians who wage this war didn’t suddenly turn into oppressive tyrants overnight. This is the philiosophy they’ve always held—they have just been waiting for the right opportunity to act.
And now that they have it, they are coming after our military.
America’s most elite warriors, the U.S. Navy SEALs, are being harassed and demeaned over their requested religious exemptions to the vaccine mandates. The Biden administration is threatening our country’s heroes with punishment, involuntary separation or even court martial—for asking for a right that is specifically provided for those in the military under federal law. That is wrong. It’s also very dangerous to ever have a military who thinks it does not have to follow the federal laws passed specifically to apply to them.
If this wasn’t absurd enough, the DoD is also threatening to make these Navy SEALs repay their own training costs—to the tune of $2 million per service member.
Discharging these 35 elite warriors with a combined 350 years of military service and over 100 combat deployments would not just be abhorrent to the Constitution and America’s values—it would be a national security disaster.
But that is not going to happen…not on our watch.
“This is not just about these 35 SEALs today, it’s about the future of our military…If you are able to bully them into capitulating, then there’s no hope for the rest.”
--Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin
Yesterday, we represented the Navy SEALs in court for their first hearing in federal court. While this is just the first step in this critical battle, a victory for the Navy SEALs could offer protection for all of our service members against these unconstitutional mandates.
Already, more than 40 members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have signed onto our amicus brief in support of the Navy SEALs, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson and many others.
And now, the Navy SEALs need YOU on their team. This battle for religious freedom is one we cannot afford to lose.
These heroes took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. Isn’t it time we defend their right to the first freedom outlined in the First Amendment of that constitution, religious liberty?
Our expert legal team, with God’s grace, is the greatest hope for victory for our military service members who have bravely chosen to stand up for their faith. And with your help, we can ensure that our heroes will get the justice they deserve.
That’s why I’m coming to you today with a bold request: Can I count on your prayers and financial support to keep us on the frontlines of this fight for our military?
To maximize your gift, we have an exciting announcement: Several generous friends of First Liberty just added another $150,000 to our $300,000 Challenge Grant!
The $450,000 Challenge Grant maximizes your gift through December 31st.
Please join the fight for our Navy SEALs with your donation today. With your partnership, we will make sure that our elite warriors can serve our nation without compromising their faith.
Yes, I will make a gift today.
Gratefully,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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