Welcome to AU's clearinghouse of recent speaking events with AU staff and partners. We may be working remotely, but our team is active across the country advocating for church-state separation to protect real religious freedom for all.
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No Politicking: Protecting the Johnson Amendment
September 29, 2020
Houses of worship should be free from the scrutiny and influence of politics. The November election is a critical time for all Americans. It is usually when religious leaders remind their congregations and communities to exercise their civic duty by voting. This program highlights the history and importance of protecting the Johnson Amendment.
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The Morality of Freedom: Re-Imagining the Promises of the Constitution
September 17, 2020
On Constitution Day, Senior Faith Adviser Sabrina Dent spoke at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education.
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National Day of Action Kickoff
September 15, 2020
To get us inspired, fired up, and ready to go make our voices heard from coast to coast, CEO Rachel Laser kicked off our National Day of Action with Congressmen Joe Kennedy and Bobby Scott.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Evening Plenary
September 14, 2020
Award-winning literary journalist Jeff Sharlet, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Family and C Street and executive producer of the Netflix documentary series based on the books, joined us as our keynote speaker for the 2020 National Advocacy Summit. Mr. Sharlet and CEO Rachel Laser spoke about a covert, secretive Christian Nationalist movement that operates on Capitol Hill. The plenary also featured our client Aimee Maddonna and a special musical performance by Scarlett Rabe.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Advocating for Church State Separation in Your School
September 14, 2020
In this workshop, AU staff members Alicia Johnson and Mandy Caceres and student leader Katie Fleischer shared information about separation of religion and government in schools, as well as resources to advocate for the this separation in your community.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Dismantling White Privilege
September 14, 2020
Corey D.B. Walker, Ph.D moderated a panel which discussed how working for religious freedom puts us on the front lines of addressing racism and Christian Nationalism in America.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Remaking of the Courts
September 14, 2020
AU Senior Litigation Counsel Kenneth Upton moderated a panel which analyzed how changing courts could result in a government that permits religion to dictate public policy and authorizes discrimination against minorities.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Protecting Religious Freedom in the States
September 14, 2020
State Policy Counsel Nik Nartowicz spoke with in-state lobbying experts about some of the bills we are fighting and what others can do to most effectively protect religious freedom in their states.
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National Advocacy Summit Workshop: Do No Harm Act
September 14, 2020
Vice President for Public Policy Maggie Garrett spoke with policy experts who have been leading the effort to pass the Do No Harm Act, which would ensure religion is never misused to harm others, as well as how to lobby Members of Congress.
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National Advocacy Summit: Opening Plenary
September 14, 2020
CEO Rachel Laser kicked off our National Advocacy Summit by exploring what’s at stake for us all and how we move forward together to uphold the separation between religion and government.
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AU National Advocacy Summit 2020 - A Welcome Address from Rachel Laser
September 14, 2020
AU President and CEO Rachel Laser virtually welcomed participants to AU's first National Advocacy Summit.
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HUD Anti-Trans Shelter Special Briefing
September 3, 2020
Senior Faith Adviser Sabrina Dent moderated a panel discussion for the Center for American Progress about the HUD Anti-Trans Shelter Proposed Rule with Rev. Cedric Harmon, Rev. Cherisse Scott, Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill, Sarah Hassmer, and Debbie Ojeda-Leitner.
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Taking Back Religious Freedom in the Aftermath of the 2020 Crises
July 22, 2020
Speaking to the Secular Student Alliance, CEO Rachel Laser discussed how the COVID-19 and racial justice crises in our country have exposed a system that privileges some and disadvantages others. She also discussed how the Trump Administration and its religious extremist allies are turning religious freedom into religious privilege to advance the dangerous and harmful conservative political agenda of its religious extremist base.
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AU Summer Series: Young People & Religious Freedom with Youth Activists for Religious Freedom
June 30, 2020
What do young people think about separation of church and state? What issues inspire and excite them? Find out during this panel discussion with youth leaders and AU summer interns.
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AU Summer Series: Supreme Court Briefing
June 23, 2020
Two AU legal fellows look at the Supreme Court and where it’s headed on church-state issues. They’ll look a the church-state decisions that have come down by then and discuss any that may still be pending.
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AU Summer Series: Religious Freedom as a Social Justice Issue
June 16, 2020
This enlightening discussion will look at how separation of religion and government intersects with concerns such as LGBTQ rights, racial justice, the rights of women and others.
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Church and State: Separating Fact From Myth
Jun 10, 2020
Senior Adviser Rob Boston discussed the history of church and state separation in the United States.
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AU Summer Series: The Power Worshippers
June 9, 2020
Join author and researcher Katherine Stewart as she discusses her new book The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism. It’s an insightful look at Christian nationalism and its ongoing effect on American politics.
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AU Summer Series: Religious Freedom 101
June 2, 2020
AU's Rob Boston gives a short, easy-to-understand history lesson on how our country got separation of church and state.
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Keeping Church and State Separate: Recent Developments
February 23, 2020
Associate Legal Director Alex Luchenitser spoke to the Philadelphia Ethical Society about our litigation against exclusion of non-theists from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' legislative-invocation practice, and other recent development in church-state separation law.
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Rebuilding The Wall: Creating a Movement for Separating Religion and Government
October 16, 2019
CEO Rachel Laser spoke at the Freedom From Religion Foundation's national convention.
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Religious Freedom in Trump’s America: Why It’s Unrecognizable and How We’re Fighting Back
May 18, 2019
CEO Rachel Laser spoke at the National Secular Society in London, England.
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Courts and Culture: Landmark Cases and a Supreme Court Preview
September 18, 2018
Associate Legal Director Alex Luchenitser served as a panelist at an Alliance Defending Freedom event on the American Legion v. American Humanist Association cross case (panel starts around 1:20:00).
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