Press Release
Ahead of Major SCOTUS Case, Interfaith Alliance Says Reproductive Freedoms Are Religious Freedoms
Interfaith Alliance Proudly Supports Reintroduction of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON—National interfaith advocates are calling on Congress to move swiftly to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. After Rep. Teri Sewell reintroduced the legislation today, The Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“As the late Rep. John Lewis once said, ‘The vote is precious. It is almost sacred.’ Sadly, his vision for an America where all people – no matter who they are or who they vote for – can exercise that foundational right is under attack by extremists working to systematically disenfranchise people of color.
“I can think of no better way to honor his legacy than to pass this crucial bill that bears his name, ensuring that every person can freely cast their vote. Those standing in the way of this legislation are not only willfully blind to the realities of voter suppression in America, but indeed aiding and abetting pernicious efforts to take us back in time and perpetuate racial inequities.
“Over the last 10 years, the Supreme Court has systematically dismantled the Voting Rights Act of 1965, enabling state legislatures to pass dozens of laws creating barriers to vote that disproportionately impact communities of color. The bill introduced today will restore the critical protections of that landmark legislation and ensure equal access to the ballot box for all. As an organization dedicated to building an inclusive democracy, Interfaith Alliance will continue to advocate tirelessly to make that happen.”
Interfaith Alliance is dedicated to protecting the integrity of both religion and democracy in America. As part of its mission to build a multireligious, pluralistic democracy that safeguards every American’s fundamental rights, the organization has long stood for equal access to the ballot box and against efforts to suppress the vote and damage our democratic institutions.
The organization is a longtime supporter of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and earlier this year endorsed The Freedom to Vote Act, a critical pro-democracy bill which outlines strong provisions to expand voter access and protect our electoral system from political interference.
I.R.S. Support for Political Endorsement by Houses of Worship Erodes Critical Boundary Between Religion and Government
WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and inclusive multi-faith democracy, is deeply concerned by a new I.R.S. court filing that says churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates to their congregations from the pulpit. This action by the Trump Administration violates the fundamental purpose and spirit of the Johnson Amendment, a decades-old ban on political campaigning and endorsement by non-profits, including houses of worship.
Interfaith Alliance Condemns Islamophobia and Extremist Targeting of Public Officials
As a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, Interfaith Alliance is appalled by the recent surge of Islamophobic hate speech and incitement against NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and the broader pattern of extreme hate directed against public officials and vulnerable minorities. This hateful rhetoric seeks to spread polarization and division and wrongly pit diverse American communities against one another.
SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Harms True Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending religious freedom and multi-faith democracy, is deeply disturbed by the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The decision clears the way for further discrimination against diverse groups and undermines public education. While falsely claiming the mantle of religious freedom, it in fact suppresses diversity and promotes exclusion.