Shurtleff v. City of Boston is the flag case recently decided by the “Supreme Court” (I put it in parenthesis because it’s no longer supreme or an impartial body as a court is required to be). The city has three poles: one for the American flag, one for the flag of Massachusetts, and one for the city flag. Often, the city pole was used by groups having events in the City Plaza, a “public forum.” The city had no rules about the flags and had never rejected an application for a group to fly its flag before — including a Pride flag and a cooperative bank – until a Christian group asked to fly a Christian flag. Continue reading
Women’s Bodies, Ducey’s Choice
By Sami Al Asady | March 30th 2022
Governor Doug Ducey just signed three bills violating constitutional principles: SB1164, banning abortion after 15 weeks; SB1165, prohibiting trans girls from sports; and SB1138, restricting gender transitions. Each is a reminder that there are lawmakers who pay no regard to the constitutional separation of church and state, the Establishment Clause, nor our founding principles. Prejudicing marginalized communities and perverting scientific findings to accord with religious beliefs is dangerous to the security of Arizona. Continue reading
Arizona’s Reproductive Rights Coalition Responds to Governor Ducey Signing Bills that Attack Abortion, Trans, and Voting Rights
Phoenix, Arizona – Today, Arizona’s Reproductive Rights Coalition condemns Governor Ducey’s signing of Senate Bill 1164 into law, a medically unnecessary ban on abortion care after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Continue reading
Disinformation About the “Free Exercise” Bill HB2507
Legislative Roundup 3/11/22
Secular AZ is continuing to work against numerous bills granting harmful religious exemptions and . Here’s a breakdown of what happened last week, and what’s coming up: Continue reading
Legislative roundup 3/4/22
Secular AZ is continuing to work against numerous bills granting harmful religious exemptions and . Here’s a breakdown of what happened last week, and what’s coming up: Continue reading
Legislative Roundup 2/26/22
Secular AZ is continuing to work against numerous bills granting harmful religious exemptions, attacks on minorities, and more. Here’s a breakdown of what happened last week, and what’s coming up: Continue reading
Legislative update and action alert 2/11/22
Secular AZ is continuing to testify against numerous bills seeking to undermine democracy and advance the interests of Christian nationalism. Here’s a breakdown of what happened last week, and what’s coming up: Continue reading
Bills in Committee Feb. 7th and 8th
We’re continuing to watch several dozen bills of interest moving through Legislative committees. Here’s the full list of what’s on our radar next week: Continue reading
New “Essential” Religious Services Bill Threatens Public Health Beyond COVID-19
On Wednesday Feb 2nd, the State House of Representatives will begin hearing HB2507 which states that “during a state of emergency, religious services are declared essential services and are deemed necessary and vital to the health and welfare of the public,” and that religious organizations can continue to operate to the same or greater extent than any other organizations or businesses providing essential services are allowed to operate. The state government may require religious organizations to comply with neutral health, safety, and occupancy regulations that apply to all providers of essential services. Continue reading
Legislative Update
Secular AZ testified in committee about the below bills last week, each of which sought to advance the interests of Christian nationalism. Here’s what each bill did and what happened:
We Are Not in Revolutionary America: Take Down the Damn Pine Tree Flag
During the first week of the legislative session, Secular AZ learned that a Christian nationalist Appeal to Heaven flag is being hanged in a public area of the State House building. The Pine Tree Flag dates back to the American Revolution. Colonists disobeyed orders disallowing the cultivation of pine trees, which Britain wanted for the construction of their navy fleet. The tensions exploded into what is known as the Pine Tree Riot, in which 20 men tortured a British official and maimed his horse. The flag became a symbol of independence.