Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral argument today in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections. The federal lawsuit was brought by Damon Landor, a devout Rastafarian whose knee-length dreadlocks were wrongly shaved off by prison officials. Landor is seeking monetary damages against the prison officers who violated his religious freedom as guaranteed by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
“True religious freedom means that all Americans must be free to live as themselves and believe as they choose, as long as they do not harm others. Damon Landor’s religious beliefs clearly posed no threats to prison officials or other incarcerated people.
“Federal law protects the religious freedom of incarcerated people, who are particularly vulnerable to abuse and having unnecessary burdens placed on their religious exercise. We urge the Supreme Court to rule that Landor and other incarcerated people must have the ability to sue and seek monetary damages for religious freedom violations – often the only way to vindicate their rights and deter future violations.”
The federal government and advocates from across the political spectrum weighed in through amicus briefs to show broad consensus that imprisoned people must be able to vindicate their right to exercise religion. Americans United, joined by five religious and civil rights organizations, filed an amicus brief in September 2025 in support of Landor. The brief argued the ability to sue for individual damages is critical for imprisoned people seeking to defend their religious freedom, and that RLUIPA itself protects against abuses of this remedy. Americans United was joined by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Global Justice Institute: Metropolitan Community Churches, Interfaith Alliance, People For the American Way and Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus.
The brief was authored by AU Litigation Counsel Alexandra Zaretsky and AU Associate Vice President and Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser.
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.
Liz Hayes
Associate Vice President of Communications
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