The Supreme Court ruled on a number of cases this month that will significantly reshape our country. There’s been a lot to keep track of, so here’s the roundup of the top ones impacting our movement and what they mean:
Religious schools
Carson v. Makin
What it did: ruled that states cannot bar religious schools from receiving taxpayer money via tuition voucher programs.
What it means: taxpayer money will more freely flow into religious schools, including those with a political agenda.
The bigger picture: this ruling accelerates the dismantling of public schools in favor of a rival system that indoctrinates kids into extremist ideology, and that can freely discriminate against minorities of all types.
Public schools
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
What it did: ruled that a football coach’s prayers at a public school were protected free speech.
What it means: it will become far easier for staff at public schools to push their faith on kids.
The bigger picture: moves toward turning public schools into places where kids can be indoctrinated and religious minorities are at heightened risk of bullying, self-harm, and erasure.
Reproductive rights
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
What it did: overturned the constitutional protection of abortion (Roe v. Wade).
What it means: states can freely enact bans on abortion and severely punish anyone connected to them.
The bigger picture: turns anyone with a womb into a second-class citizen; sets precedents that could used to overturn gay marriage and other protections for minorities.
Guns
New York State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. Bruen
What it did: ruled that states cannot require special permits to carry weapons for self-defense.
What it means: the proliferation of guns and the dismantling of states’ ability to restrict them.
The bigger picture: arming radicalized Americans that believe their right to dominate others is God-given.
Is the picture becoming clear?
Putting these developments together—and factoring in upcoming cases that will nullify democracy to entrench conservatives into power—it’s easy to see the emergence of a literal theocracy in the United States.
What can we do?
Despite conservatives’ ongoing efforts, we still have citizens initiatives that can turn issues like the right to choose over to voters. We can unelect our state’s Attorney General, who decides whether or not to prosecute for violations of theocratic laws. We can install school board members who stand up for minority kids. And we can flip the state Legislature.
Ballots are being mailed next week. We have a duty to find secular candidates to campaign for, and vote down ballot in Every. Single. Race.
Ballots will be mailed next week for the August 2nd state primaries.
Arizonans who want to vote in this election have until Monday, July 6, to make sure they are registered. (And yes, independents can participate.)
Learn more on how to register and vote here.
