Intensifying Attacks on Free Speech Endanger Religious Freedom and Multi-Faith Democracy

As a leading national advocate for religious freedom and civil rights, Interfaith Alliance is deeply alarmed by the intensifying atmosphere of censorship and aggressive crackdown on free speech that is unfolding in the United States. In the wake of the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, the organization is appalled by the proliferation of political violence and violent threats, as well as by blatantly authoritarian efforts to silence a wide range of legitimate constitutionally-protected speech and activism. 

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, the president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement: 

“The First Amendment, a fundamental pillar of our multi-faith democracy, protects the freedom of speech as well as the freedom of religion. When freedom of speech is under intense attack by the federal government, and individuals and organizations across the country are being intimidated out of exercising their fundamental rights to discuss and debate important issues, this represents a massive threat to democracy and to the rights of religious communities. 

“The terrible scourge of hatred and political violence in our country can be best addressed by expanding and strengthening a vibrant, inclusive democracy where all communities, including all people of diverse faiths and beliefs can engage and coexist with one another peacefully, in accordance with our core constitutional freedoms. Utilizing instances of terrible violence and hate to fuel a crackdown on civil society, suppress free speech, remove prominent voices from the airwaves and intimidate the media into silence and collaboration is a recipe for more division and more danger. 

“We have seen at previous moments in our history, including the McCarthy era, how attacks on First Amendment rights can quickly spiral into full-scale witchhunts and repression in which individuals unjustly lose their livelihoods, communities are torn apart, and the fabric of our democracy is greatly weakened. In such moments, out-of-favor religious and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable to targeting and scapegoating. 

The First Amendment protects our right to freely practice our faith, which is inextricably tied to our other first amendment rights to free speech and free assembly. Now is a critical moment to speak up and speak out in defense of religious freedom, free speech, free assembly, and all of our core democratic freedoms. We must show moral courage, and refuse to give in to intimidation and fear, and do everything in our power to build a stronger, healthier democratic society.” 

Interfaith Alliance recently filed an amicus curiae brief in Newsom v. Trump, supporting Governor Newsom and U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling that the Trump administration broke the law when it deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in June during immigration enforcement operations and related protests. The brief argues that upholding this ruling is essential to protecting religious freedom, emphasizing that for many communities of faith, peaceful protest is a sacred religious practice protected by the Constitution. 

Interfaith Alliance will also play a leading role in organizing faith communities to participate in the upcoming No Kings rallies across the country on October 18, which will bring millions of Americans into the streets to protest against the Trump Administration’s authoritarian and anti-democratic abuses of power, including their infringements on the freedoms of speech, assembly and religion. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Ben DePasquale, bdepasquale@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.

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