A core project of today’s Supreme Court… is to reorient the First Amendment’s two religion clauses, the one that prohibits religious “establishment” and the other that protects “free exercise.” - Linda Greenhouse, The New York Times

Dear AU Supporter,

The fundamental right to church-state separation in our public schools faces its most consequential threat in generations: The U.S. Supreme Court just announced it will hear oral arguments in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.

No children attending public school should be made to feel that they have to pray to play school sports—but that is exactly what’s at issue in this case. Bremerton is a public school district in Washington State that followed the law requiring it to protect students who felt pressured by their football coach to participate repeatedly in public prayer on the 50-yard line after games. The district stopped the coach, but he and his high-profile attorneys have been dragging the district through the courts for more than 5 years.

Americans United is on the front lines of this fight. Our lawyers represent the Bremerton School District and will argue this case in front of the Supreme Court in just a few months. Our team is working around the clock to draft the brief on behalf of the school district, prepare for oral argument, update the public on what’s at stake, and ensure that religious freedom is protected for public schoolchildren everywhere. We need you with us now more than ever.

Please make a gift today of $35 or more to power our work to defend church-state separation and religious freedom: [link removed]

In 2019, Justice Samuel Alito, joined by 3 other conservative justices, wrote a statement laying the groundwork for the coach’s lawyers to get this case before the court. They followed Alito’s playbook, and the case is now on the docket, supported by religious extremists including a group headed by former VP Mike Pence and conservative attorneys general from 24 states.

Religious extremists are making every attempt to stand the definition of religious freedom on its head to justify discrimination, redefine the United States as a Christian nationalist country, and force our kids to live by their religious beliefs. And the Supreme Court seems to be buying it. We have our work cut out for us.

We are here fighting thanks to our members. Please make a gift of $35 or more now as your commitment to church-state separation and religious freedom: [link removed]

This case will have profound ramifications for church-state separation, the foundational American principle that protects religious freedom for everyone. Separation of religion and government frees us to come together as equals and to build a stronger democracy.

Thank you for your support in this critical fight for our fundamental rights.

In Solidarity,

Rachel Laser
President and CEO

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