FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2022
CONTACT
Jonny Levenfeld, West End Strategy Team
jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com; Phone: 202-704-4535
President Biden’s Supreme Court Nominee Must Champion Religious Freedom, Say Interfaith Activists
WASHINGTON—Interfaith advocates are grateful for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s decades of service and call on President Biden to nominate a successor that will carry forward Justice Breyer’s legacy on religious freedom. Katy Joseph, director of policy & advocacy for Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“Justice Breyer has been a steadfast presence, offering nuanced perspectives on gun safety, abortion, the death penalty, and more, throughout his nearly 30 years on the Supreme Court. As his colleagues have shifted rightward in recent years, Justice Breyer consistently emphasized his view of the judiciary as an essential and nonpartisan institution.
“Throughout his tenure Justice Breyer grappled with the meaning of religious freedom in a pluralistic nation, at times shying away from legal tests to allow for shades of grey. ‘The relation between government and religion is one of separation, but not of mutual hostility and suspicion,’ he once wrote, where ‘borderline cases’ will arise and decision-makers must take into account our diversity of religion and belief. He leaves behind a thoughtful record and we wish him well in retirement.
“Our country is at a turning point when it comes to fundamental principles of civil rights, civil liberties, and preserving the separation of church and state. Yet our democracy is strengthened when those in positions of authority reflect the people they serve, from our school boards to our highest court. We urge President Biden to nominate a champion for true religious freedom, a jurist who brings an inclusive and dynamic perspective, to succeed Justice Breyer.”
If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance on this issue, please contact Jonny Levenfeld at (202) 704-4535 or jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com.
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.