“The Supreme Court’s order misuses religious freedom and endangers the public health of everyone in New York," said Americans United CEO Rachel Laser. "With coronavirus cases spiking across the country, we should be heeding the advice of public health experts who recommend limiting large gatherings. COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate between religious and secular gatherings; on numerous occasions, infections at houses of worship have led to major outbreaks in surrounding communities."

“Gov. Cuomo’s order does not violate religious freedom; it ensures religious freedom is not misused to endanger people’s lives,” AU President and CEO Rachel Laser said. “As Thanksgiving and many religious holidays approach, we sympathize with the families and faith communities yearning to come together to celebrate, worship and find solace at the end of a challenging year. But religious freedom should not be wielded as a sword that results in harm to the community."

“Now more than ever, we need to take a stand for church-state separation," said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser. "Americans United looks forward to working with the Biden administration to make sure the United States lives up to its ideals of being a place where people of all faiths and none are welcome, equal and free to practice their beliefs as they choose, as long as they don't harm others.”

“Our government has a duty to protect vulnerable children in the foster care system and ensure they are placed in safe homes with loving families,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “Taxpayer-funded child-placement agencies should never be allowed to use religious litmus tests to turn away qualified parents who are the ‘wrong’ religion or are LGBTQ."

“The Trump administration and Senate Republicans continued their assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of religious freedom with the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court," said AU President and CEO Rachel Laser. "Barrett’s record, speeches, writing and professional affiliations have all demonstrated hostility to the separation of religion and government, which protects every American’s right to believe as we choose, as long as we don’t harm others."