Liz Hayes
Associate Vice President of Communications
[email protected]
“This is the Trump administration’s most dangerous attempt yet to weaponize religious freedom, and we won’t stand for it,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “The Denial of Care Rule condones discrimination by health care workers – our trusted medical professionals on whom we rely in our most vulnerable moments."
“UCSF Health is a public institution that cannot enter into an agreement that requires its employees or students to abide by any particular religious beliefs. That is a fundamental violation of religious freedom,” said Richard B. Katskee, AU’s legal director.
Much of the bias that LGBTQ people experience on a daily basis is rooted in fundamentalist views of religion. But in our richly diverse nation, our shared secular laws are what must continue to govern – without special privileges or exceptions for some religious groups.
“Forcing Maine residents to pay for religious education – particularly at private schools that can discriminate against students – is a fundamental violation of religious freedom,” said Alex J. Luchenitser, AU’s associate legal director. “The court should reject this lawsuit and maintain the state’s current protections that ensure that taxpayers aren’t compelled to support religious beliefs with which they may not agree.”
“Our hearts are heavy today as we try to comprehend the aftermath of the tragic murders of 49 people and the wounding of at least 20 others in New Zealand," said AU President & CEO Rachel Laser. "This brutal attack by a white nationalist is another reminder of the threat posed by the global reach of hateful extremism and ideologies based on division, fear and violence. We must stand united against this growing plague of hate.
“We are excited to have Jim Winkler join our Board of Trustees,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “Jim brings a passion for church-state separation and a deep commitment to protecting the religious freedom of all Americans."
“It is unfathomable that in 2019, businesses are still seeking the legal right to discriminate against people who don’t live by the owner’s religious beliefs,” said AU President & CEO Rachel Laser. “Our society and our courts rejected this thinking decades ago when we declared that businesses open to the public must be open to all and that religious beliefs could not be used as a basis for discrimination."
“The Supreme Court’s decision protects the religious freedom of New Jersey residents by ensuring that their tax dollars are not funding religious activity that they may not support," said AU Legal Director Richard B. Katskee. "Public funds should support buildings and programs that benefit all members of the community, not build or repair churches that are used primarily by members of one faith."
“We need to pass the Do No Harm Act now more than ever to protect people like our client Aimee Maddonna, who wanted to help children in foster care, but was turned away by a government-funded agency for being the ‘wrong’ religion,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “We urge all members of Congress to support this legislation and defend religious freedom, one of our country’s most sacred principles.”
"Intentional or not, this Latin cross memorial conveys the message that the Christians whose lives were lost are more deserving of respect, gratitude and remembrance than the many non-Christians who fought and died beside them," said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.
The Do No Harm Act will help ensure that our laws are a shield to protect religious freedom and not used as a sword to harm others by undermining civil rights laws and denying access to health care.
Act Now
