Addressing the Joint Action Committee’s DC Policy Conference focused on supporting issues reflective of Jewish values, AU Vice President of Public Policy Alessandro Terenzoni on April 14 spoke about the importance of church-state separation.
On April 17, Terenzoni spoke to women leaders from Indiana as part of a panel on education and civil rights hosted by the Hoosier Women Forward program. Hoosier Women Forward is a political and civic leadership training program designed to empower Democratic women to become more active participants in politics and leaders in their communities.
On April 20, AU Policy staff visited the German Embassy to meet with their Consul General and Legal Adviser, who reached out to ask AU about recent developments in American religious freedom.
Also in D.C. on April 21, AU Policy staff met with staff from CAIR of Northern Ohio, who were in town for their lobby day. CAIR (the Council on American-Islamic Relations) empowers the American Muslim community through legal representation, education, media relations, and advocacy, and encourages participation in political and social activism. AU Policy staff addressed Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) and other associated issues harmful to church-state separation and religious freedom.
On May 12 in Lafayette, Calif. and virtually, AU President and CEO Rachel Laser spoke at Temple Isaiah. Addressing “Religion, Politics, & Democracy,” Laser surveyed threats to church-state separation, examined the rise of Christian Nationalism, and warned of the erosion of American democracy. Arguing that the role of religion and religious voices is more important now than ever, she highlighted the important role Americans United has played for nearly 80 years in defending core constitutional principles. Examining the current challenges of protecting civil rights, she offered suggestions for how concerned individuals can help strengthen our First Amendment freedoms and our democracy.