When Americans United announced it would hold an in-person Summit for Religious Freedom (SRF) this year, we had some trepidation: Would folks see the threat of Christian Nationalism and attend? Were they ready to meet face-to-face again after three years of COVID?
We needn’t have fretted. SRF, which took place April 22-24 in Washington, D.C., was a smashing success. The in-person portion sold out, and hundreds more watched online.
AU President and CEO Rachel Laser kicked off the event with a spirited chant: “ONE NATION, ALL BELIEFS,” introducing the theme of a new pledge Americans United had just unveiled. The high-energy kickoff set the stage for three days of speeches, panels, workshops and question-and-answer sessions featuring an impressive line-up of stellar speakers, plus visits with congressional staff on Capitol Hill. (You can read a summary of the event here and see some photos in a video montage here.)
Learning and networking
But SRF didn’t end after attendees left D.C. or logged off their computers: They had the opportunity to take part in SRF365, a series of virtual webinars to keep the activism, learning and networking going.
SRF 2023 was such a hit that Americans United is bringing it back next year. The Summit for Religious Freedom 2024 will take place April 13-16 in Washington and online.
We’ve already announced two exciting keynote speakers: Anthea Butler and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)
Exciting keynote speakers
Prof. Butler is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She’s a historian of African-American and American religion, an expert on the threat of Christian Nationalism and an author.
Rep. Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently ranking member on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. He’s a former professor of constitutional law and served on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. He is the author of several books.
More SRF speakers, panels and events will be announced in the weeks and months to come. Visit the SRF website for the latest news.
You could feel the energy in the room during SRF 2023. You’ll have an opportunity to experience it again in a few months. SRF 2024 is going to be an amazing event! Reserve your spot today.
