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 celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.