News from the Week Nov. 7 – Nov. 14, 2022

Friend:

Hope. Believing in the power of our voices. Before Tuesday, I was thinking a lot about whether people would find their hope and believe in their ability to affect change. I know I don’t have to tell you how tough these recent years have been – a global pandemic, rampant gun violence, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the constant chipping away at church-state separation and the threats to our democracy.

So while this week’s midterm election results appear to be a mixed bag, one of the outcomes I’m celebrating is Generation Z’s dogged optimism in the face of so many challenges. Young adults in their 20s showed up for this election and demonstrated why they’re a force to be reckoned with – and why we at Americans United are investing so heavily in this next generation of leaders, activists, lawyers, legislators, journalists, teachers, judges and more.

In an interview on NPR the day after the election ([link removed]), Jack Lobel with the progressive organization Voters of Tomorrow described why he and so many of his peers voted, many of them for the first time: “I voted for democracy, I voted for abortion rights, I voted for our future.” Lobel said the Supreme Court decision to abolish abortion rights – and his fear that many more rights could fall at the hands of this ultra-conservative Court – was a major motivator to vote.

At AU, we understand that supporting and engaging young people like Jack is critical to protecting church-state separation, our freedoms and our democracy. That’s why we are dedicated to youth outreach and leadership efforts like the new Legal Academy ([link removed]), our Youth Organizing Fellowship program ([link removed]) and next year’s Summit for Religious Freedom ([link removed]).

Generation Z has the hope and the drive to change the course of history, and I believe that they will. And I’m not just saying so because my three kids belong to Gen Z, though I’m pretty proud of them too. AU is committed to working alongside this new generation of activists because we want to bolster them in every way we can and also learn from them how to shape the future. It will take all of us working together to achieve our vision of a nation of freedom without favor and equality without exception.

To learn more about how you can support Americans United’s efforts, and to hear more of AU’s analysis on the midterm elections, please join me for the first in our Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) Webinar Series on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. ([link removed]) This free, virtual discussion will include several AU experts talking about the results of the midterms and their impact on all of the issues we care about. I look forward to seeing you there!

With hope and determination,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO


DONATE » [link removed]


Join Us For A Special Post-Election Analysis Featuring Three Experts From Americans United.
AU will kick off our Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) Webinar Series with this program to analyze the midterm elections.
READ MORE>> [link removed]

Christian Nationalist Candidates Come Up Short In Midterm Elections.
Many of the most high-profile races on Tuesday didn’t go the way Christian nationalists had hoped.
READ MORE>> [link removed]

Church-State Separation Was On The Ballot.
Several state ballot questions impacted church-state separation, including votes in five states on abortion rights.
READ MORE>> [link removed]

The Christian Nationalist Plot Lurking Behind ‘Parental Rights’
Christian nationalist parents want to make decisions for everyone’s kids, not just their own.
READ MORE>> [link removed]

Get Involved—Check Out AU’s Upcoming Events:
Find additional details and a full list of events at [link removed]

Nov. 16, 2022, 7:30 p.m. ET (Virtual): “SRF Webinar Series: Post-Election Analysis.” Join AU’s Rachel Laser, Andrew Seidel, Maggie Garrett and Brian Silva for a discussion of the midterm election results and how they will impact religious freedom, church-state separation and all the issues we care about. Sign up here: [link removed]

Nov. 19, 2022, 7:00 p.m. ET (Virtual): “Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?” Featuring Rev. Sian Wiltshire of Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Sponsored by AU’s Orange County, Calif., Chapter. Sign up here: [link removed]

April 22, 2023 - April 24, 2023 (Virtual & In Person): The Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) is a collaborative conference that will unify supporters, activists, organizers, policy and legal experts, academics, political and religious leaders, and committed people of faith and of no religion to fight for religious freedom. Sign up here: [link removed]


DONATE » [link removed]


Like Us On Facebook: [link removed]

Follow Us On Twitter: [link removed]

Follow us On Instagram: [link removed]

Follow us On TikTok: [link removed]


Copyright © 2022
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
1310 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC xxxxxx
www.au.org

unsubscribe: [link removed]
Update your information: [link removed]
Privacy policy: www.au.org/about/privacy-policy
Donate: [link removed]