Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision on Sunday, thirteen prominent actors united to voice their support for church-state separation and abortion rights in a compelling new video released today by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Celebrities Support Church-State Separation
“Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state,” proclaim the star-studded cast that includes Amy Brenneman, Hunter Doohan, Tommy Dorfman, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Sarah Jones, Amy Landecker, Mary McCormack, Arian Moayed, Sarah Paulson, Kate Walsh, Michaela Watkins and Bradley Whitford.
“These extremists are abusing religion to hurt us,” the stars explain to a new and wider audience. “To deny us our basic human rights. Americans United for Separation of Church and State is fighting back.”
New Lawsuit Challenging Missouri Abortion Bans
The support was spurred by a lawsuit filed yesterday by Americans United, the National Women’s Law Center, and the law firm Arnold & Porter to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans and several related abortion restrictions as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on all Missouri residents in violation of the separation of church and state.
The lawsuit, Rev. Traci Blackmon v. State of Missouri, was filed on behalf of thirteen Missouri clergy members from six faith traditions whose various religions call them to support abortion access because of the critical importance it holds for the health, autonomy, economic security, and equality of women and all who can become pregnant.
“Everyone needs to understand that abortion bans violate the separation of church and state.”
“We’re honored to have such prominent voices joining us to support the separation of church and state and abortion rights,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United.
“It’s crucial that we shed light on how religious extremists and their lawmaker allies are using the force of law to impose their narrow religious doctrine on all of us. Everyone needs to understand that abortion bans violate the separation of church and state.”
More information about the lawsuit is available here.
Americans United is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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