Government officials in Brevard County, Fla., violated the Con­stitution by consistently relying on clergy from mainstream monotheistic religions to offer invocations before official meetings, a federal appeals court ruled July 8.

“Brevard County Commissioners were using religion as the basis for discrimination by allowing only people of preferred faiths to offer invocations. Religious minorities and nonbelievers are equal members of society and they must be treated equally by their elected officials. The court’s decision today made clear that no one should be excluded from civic affairs because of their beliefs about God," said AU Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser.

As we celebrate our American freedoms this Independence Day, it’s a pleasure to report on some public officials who are taking religious freedom, equality and fairness seriously. I’m looking at Austin, Texas, where city council meetings are about to get even more inclusive, thanks to changes to the council’s invocation policy.