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FFRF Action Fund: Pagan Army Veteran Named This Week's 'Secularist' for Speaking Out Against DOD Discrimination
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on July 10, 2026:
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Pagan Army veteran named this week's 'Secularist' for speaking out against DoD discrimination
The FFRF Action Fund names Eric Peisel, an Army veteran and practicing pagan, as its "Secularist of the Week" for sharing his service experiences in the wake of the Defense Department's gutting of 180 religious identification
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MADISON, Wisconsin, July 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on July 10, 2026:
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Pagan Army veteran named this week's 'Secularist' for speaking out against DoD discrimination
The FFRF Action Fund names Eric Peisel, an Army veteran and practicing pagan, as its "Secularist of the Week" for sharing his service experiences in the wake of the Defense Department's gutting of 180 religious identificationcategories from its list of recognized faiths or viewpoints for service members. Christian denominations account for the vast majority of the remaining religion categories. "Atheist" and a number of minority religious faiths were removed from the official list.
Peisel shared the letters he sent to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on social media and encouraged others to send their own.
"I am writing to express my profound concern regarding recent Department of Defense actions affecting the recognition and accommodation of religious faiths within the United States Armed Forces," Peisel's letter to the House Armed Services Committee reads. "For generations, our military has drawn strength from Americans of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions."
Peisel continued: "The Armed Forces have long recognized that service to one's country should never require the surrender of one's sincerely held religious beliefs. The expansion of religious accommodation policies over the past several decades has been a reflection of our nation's commitment to both military readiness and the constitutional principle of religious liberty."
Peisel asserts that the Defense Department's actions "send a message to thousands of service members that their beliefs are less worthy of respect, protection, or accommodation than those of others."
"The First Amendment does not guarantee religious freedom only to those whose beliefs are popular, familiar, or approved of by those in positions of authority," Peisel writes.
Peisel urges Congress to take action against the Defense Department's Christian nationalism: "I am equally concerned that Congress has not exercised stronger oversight regarding this matter. The House Armed Services Committee exists in part to ensure that Department of Defense policies remain consistent with the law, constitutional principles, and the values our military is sworn to defend. When policies emerge that appear to marginalize some religions or elevate others, congressional oversight is not merely appropriate; it is necessary."
"I respectfully urge the Committee to examine these policy changes, seek transparency regarding their justification and implementation, and ensure that the rights of all service members are protected equally. Religious liberty is not a privilege granted by military leadership; it is a constitutional right that belongs to every American, including those who wear the uniform."
Peisel noted that the strength of our military has never depended on religious conformity but on the willingness of Americans to serve together in a common cause.
Read Peisel's full letters here (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CLkN4yFL3/).
Peisel poignantly shared his experience as a pagan servicemember. In a post sharing an article covering the Defense Department's news, Peisel wrote, "After almost half a lifetime in service to my country, I am ashamed of watching it fall into the hands of people who stand in opposition to every value our military taught me over the 25 years I served in it."
Peisel joined the U.S. Army in 1987 and, when filling out information for his dog tags, submitted "Pagan" as his religious preference, even though "Pagan" was not an option in the list of choices officially recognized by the military. Peisel detailed the discrimination he faced following that decision, such as being pressured and threatened to change his written religious preference to an "approved religion." When he refused, the mistreatment only worsened and approximately a week later, his unit received new dog tags. His dog tags now said "No Rel Pref."
After refusing to wear his dog tags until they were corrected, Peisel endured weeks of discrimination and abuse. Peisel even spoke to a military chaplain "who talked to me about being confused and that I just needed time to learn to 'accept the love of Jesus.'"
Amid the mistreatment, Peisel included a letter to his congressman in correspondence with his mother and asked her to forward it. This led to a congressional inquiry into Peisel's Basic Training company and resulted in Peisel finally receiving a set of dog tags with "Pagan" on them.
About the Defense Department's news, Peisel wrote: "The people pushing these changes today may tell us that they are only removing unnecessary labels and unused categories. But marginalized faiths do not disappear when recognition is removed. They simply lose protection. They lose visibility. They lose representation. And once that happens, it becomes much easier to force capitulation through peer pressure, neglect, and discrimination, because marginalization itself becomes the weapon."
Read Peisel's full story here (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YPySLpN5M/).
The FFRF Action Fund warmly thanks Peisel for sharing his experience as a pagan service member. It is more important than ever to elevate these stories, and the FFRF Action Fund firmly encourages others experiencing similar discrimination to speak out. Congress must take action against this affront to religious liberty for all service members, including the many who identify as atheists.
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FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
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Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/pagan-army-veteran-named-this-weeks-secularist-for-speaking-out-against-dod-discrimination/
[Category: Sociological]
FFRF Action Fund: 'Theocratic' Stephen Miller Calls Trump's Presidency 'Divine Providence'
MADISON, Wisconsin, July 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on July 10, 2026:
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'Theocratic' Stephen Miller calls Trump's presidency "divine providence"
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is FFRF Action Fund's"Theocrat of the Week" for calling Trump's presidency a result of "divine providence" in a July 4th post.
As part of the Trump Administration's Christian nationalist celebration
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MADISON, Wisconsin, July 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on July 10, 2026:
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'Theocratic' Stephen Miller calls Trump's presidency "divine providence"
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller is FFRF Action Fund's"Theocrat of the Week" for calling Trump's presidency a result of "divine providence" in a July 4th post.
As part of the Trump Administration's Christian nationalist celebrationof Independence Day and the United States' 250th anniversary, Miller took to X to post a sycophantic message in praise of Trump.
"It is impossible to review the events of the last decade and conclude that it is anything other than divine providence that Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States on the year of America 250, July 4th, 2026," Miller wrote.
Christian nationalist leaders have long revered Trump as an almost messianic figure.
In May, Miller declared that Trump was building an "extraordinary paradise" and was responsible for a "national miracle" through his immigration crackdown. In October 2025, Miller told Trump the United States "was going to die" without him.
(Trump hhas aligned his presidency with Jesus. Earlier this year, he posted an AI image depicting himself as Jesus healing the sick, which, after evangelical criticism took him by surprise, he tried to downplay. In 2019, Trump looked to the sky and declared, "I am the chosen one," which he also walked back after backlash.)
Although Miller is Jewish, he is highly intertwined with the Christian nationalist base backing Trump. He is a key architect behind some of Trump's most destructive policies, such as the administration's immigration enforcement activities. (The Trump administration has frequently used bible verses to frame its immigration crackdown as divinely ordained.) Miller was the main architect behind Trump's Muslim ban and family separation policy in 2017 and has been linked to white nationalism.
Miller is the co-founder of America First Legal, a conservative legal group focused on executive overreach that Miller created after Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. The group was listed as an original contributor to Project 2025, but was later removed from Project 2025's website when Trump attempted to distance himself from the government blueprint.
Miller served as senior advisor to the president during the first Trump administration and now holds multiple positions in the second Trump administration, including assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff for the policy and homeland security advisor. He is highly influential on the White House's domestic and national security agenda.
Miller's work, policies and rhetoric heavily contribute to the overarching Christian nationalist agenda to enforce a Christian cultural framework in public life. Connecting Trump with "divine providence" isn't just absurd; it is part of the effort to establish Trump as a figurehead for the dangerous, unconstitutional Christian nationalist movement.
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FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
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Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/theocratic-stephen-miller-calls-trumps-presidency-divine-providence/
[Category: Sociological]
Earthjustice: Report - Trump Administration to Illegally Attack Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 11 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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Report: Trump Administration to Illegally Attack Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
Earthjustice vows to take legal action if and when a presidential proclamation drops
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Washington, D.C. -- President Trump is reportedly planning another attack on Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, potentially as soon as Monday. ABC4 Utah reports that three local sources with knowledge of the plans claim the administration will sign an order
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SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 11 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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Report: Trump Administration to Illegally Attack Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
Earthjustice vows to take legal action if and when a presidential proclamation drops
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Washington, D.C. -- President Trump is reportedly planning another attack on Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, potentially as soon as Monday. ABC4 Utah reports that three local sources with knowledge of the plans claim the administration will sign an orderon the monuments early next week. In response to the news, Earthjustice vowed to take legal action to maintain protections for these treasured landscapes once again.
The first Trump administration tried to strip monument protections from half of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and nearly 90% of Bears Ears National Monument. Earthjustice swiftly filed suit on behalf of conservation groups challenging the administration's illegal actions. Those lawsuits are currently stayed in district court, as President Biden restored both monuments in 2021.
"Since day one of the Trump administration, rumors have swirled that Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante were once again in the President's crosshairs," said Heidi McIntosh, managing attorney for Earthjustice's Rocky Mountain Office. "If these reports are correct, it appears the administration is once again answering the calls of extractive industries and anti-public lands politicians like Senator Mike Lee, who have repeatedly attempted to undermine national monuments and sell off public lands. To attack our national monuments is to attack the countless cultural and natural resources that Tribes, local communities, and small businesses have fought to protect for decades. Earthjustice and our partners are prepared to vigorously defend these special places once again."
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes presidents to designate national monuments, but it does not give them the power to shrink the monuments created by their predecessors or to undercut their protections. Congress's intent was clear: the Antiquities Act must be used to protect the nation's archaeological, cultural, and scientific wonders.
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About Earthjustice
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
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Original text here: https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/report-trump-administration-to-illegally-attack-bears-ears-and-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monuments
[Category: Environment]
CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Indictment of Self-Described Nazi for Mass Shooting Threats Targeting Muslims, Democrats and Minority Groups
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Indictment of Self-Described Nazi for Mass Shooting Threats Targeting Muslims, Democrats and Minority Groups
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh) today welcomed the federal indictment of a Pennsylvania man who allegedly identified himself as a Nazi and made threats to carry out a mass shooting targeting Muslims, Democrats, Jewish people, African Americans, and other minority groups.
According to federal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Indictment of Self-Described Nazi for Mass Shooting Threats Targeting Muslims, Democrats and Minority Groups
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh) today welcomed the federal indictment of a Pennsylvania man who allegedly identified himself as a Nazi and made threats to carry out a mass shooting targeting Muslims, Democrats, Jewish people, African Americans, and other minority groups.
According to federalprosecutors, the defendant - Robert Hlovchiec - allegedly used online platforms to express support for white supremacist ideology, identify himself as a Nazi, threaten acts of mass violence, and discuss plans to carry out a mass casualty attack against multiple targeted communities. In March, he reportedly wrote: "Im a REAL American I will do a mass shooting against 100s of Muslims in America if I ever get the opportunity."
In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed, said:
"We welcome this indictment and commend federal law enforcement for taking these disturbing threats seriously before they could allegedly be carried out. Violent extremist rhetoric targeting Muslims and members of other communities must never be dismissed as mere online speech when it includes credible threats of mass violence. Every targeted community deserves to live free from fear."
Earlier this week, CAIR-Philadelphia joined Philadelphia City Commission Chairman Omar Sabir, elected officials, faith leaders, and community organizations at an Interfaith Unity Press Conference to condemn the recent arson attack targeting the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center and stand in solidarity with Philadelphia's Muslim community.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR's latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-pittsburgh-welcomes-indictment-of-self-described-nazi-for-mass-shooting-threats-targeting-muslims-democrats-and-minority-groups/
[Category: Sociological]
CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Anti-Muslim Firebombings
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Anti-Muslim Firebombings
Suspect reportedly told investigators,'Yes, I f--ing firebombed them. They're Muslims, scum and terrorists.'
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The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest and federal charges against a suspect accused of carrying out a series of allegedly hate-motivated firebombing attacks.
According
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 11 -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release on July 10, 2026:
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CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Anti-Muslim Firebombings
Suspect reportedly told investigators,'Yes, I f--ing firebombed them. They're Muslims, scum and terrorists.'
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The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest and federal charges against a suspect accused of carrying out a series of allegedly hate-motivated firebombing attacks.
Accordingto law enforcement officials, 36-year-old Yogesh Sayrange appeared in federal court yesterday in connection with the June 25 firebombing of a smoke shop in Brooklyn. Prosecutors say Sayrange admitted to the attack, telling investigators, "Yes, I f--ing firebombed them. They're Muslims, scum and terrorists."
Federal authorities also allege that Sayrange threw a Molotov cocktail at a church in Ozone Park after reportedly asking individuals gathered outside, "Do you want this institution to be turned into a mosque?" Investigators have linked the suspect to seven arson incidents.
"We welcome the arrest of the suspect in these disturbing attacks and commend federal and local law enforcement authorities for their actions in this case," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. "The alleged statements attributed to the suspect leave little doubt that anti-Muslim hatred was a motivating factor in these crimes. Every member of our community deserves to live, work, worship, and conduct business without fear of violence or intimidation. We urge prosecutors to pursue these allegations to the fullest extent of the law and remain vigilant against the growing threat of anti-Muslim hate."
Yesterday, CAIR-NY joined a call for members of the public to provide any information that may assist law enforcement in identifying the individual responsible for a series of anti-Islamic graffiti incidents in Brooklyn.
Earlier this week, CAIR-NY called for a hate crime investigation into a violent threat targeting the Sunnyside Muslim Center and urged law enforcement to take all necessary measures to protect worshippers ahead of Jummah (weekly Friday congregation) prayers.
CAIR offers a "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet, which offers advice on how to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to houses of worship of all faiths.
Washington, D.C. based CAIR's latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 - the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
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CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-welcomes-arrest-of-suspect-in-anti-muslim-firebombings/
[Category: Sociological]
Appalachian Voices: Learn More About the Hazards of Coal Ash and TVA's Plans at July 30 Community Meeting
BOONE, North Carolina, July 11 -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release on July 9, 2026:
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Learn more about the hazards of coal ash and TVA's plans at July 30 community meeting
The Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices are co-hosting a community meeting in Kingston, Tennessee, on July 30 to discuss the Tennessee Valley Authority's plans to manage and store the massive amounts of hazardous coal ash it is responsible for.
Residents can learn more about the hazards of unsafe coal ash storage, the best storage solution options and how they can let state regulators know their concerns
... Show Full Article
BOONE, North Carolina, July 11 -- Appalachian Voices issued the following news release on July 9, 2026:
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Learn more about the hazards of coal ash and TVA's plans at July 30 community meeting
The Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices are co-hosting a community meeting in Kingston, Tennessee, on July 30 to discuss the Tennessee Valley Authority's plans to manage and store the massive amounts of hazardous coal ash it is responsible for.
Residents can learn more about the hazards of unsafe coal ash storage, the best storage solution options and how they can let state regulators know their concernsabout TVA's unsafe plans as part of the utility's Corrective Action/Risk Assessment process.
The community meeting is on Thursday, July 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Kingston Community Center, 201 Patten Ferry Road, Kingston, Tennessee.
TVA's Cumberland, Johnsonville and Kingston coal plants are home to massive coal ash ponds. Coal ash is the toxic substance left after burning coal to generate electricity. Coal ash contains arsenic, mercury, lead and other dangerous pollutants linked to serious health problems like cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness.
Coal ash has been stored in unlined dumps at these plants, with heavy metals and chemicals leaching into groundwater near all of TVA's coal ash ponds. This can spread to surrounding waterways used for recreation, fishing and downstream drinking water.
TVA's current proposal mostly involves leaving coal ash in place and covering it with a cap rather than fully removing it from vulnerable areas. Communities across the country are pushing utilities to move coal ash out of unlined pits and into lined, dry storage areas away from water resources.
At the July 30 meeting, residents will learn how to advocate for TVA to develop better, safer long-term plans for its coal ash.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will begin accepting public comments on July 16 for TVA's Corrective Action/Risk Assessment Plan, or CARA Plan, for handling coal ash at the Kingston Fossil Plant -- which was the site of the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history when more than a billion gallons of coal ash were released after a dike at one of its storage ponds failed.
TDEC is also hosting a public hearing on the Kingston CARA plan on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Kingston Community Center. An open house at 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, will precede the 6:30 p.m. public hearing.
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Original text here: https://appvoices.org/2026/07/09/tva-cara-community-meeting/
[Category: Sociological]
Agudath Israel New York Legislative Meet and Greet Affirms Strength and Resolve Amidst Rising Antisemitism
NEW YORK, July 11 -- Agudath Israel of America, an arm and voice of American Orthodox Jewry, issued the following news:
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Agudath Israel New York Legislative Meet and Greet Affirms Strength and Resolve Amidst Rising Antisemitism
Agudath Israel of America welcomed more than 200 community leaders, activists, elected officials, and government representatives to its New York Legislative Meet and Greet on Tuesday evening, reaffirming the organization's commitment to advocacy and the enduring strength of New York's Orthodox Jewish community.
Against the backdrop of the New York City skyline,
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 11 -- Agudath Israel of America, an arm and voice of American Orthodox Jewry, issued the following news:
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Agudath Israel New York Legislative Meet and Greet Affirms Strength and Resolve Amidst Rising Antisemitism
Agudath Israel of America welcomed more than 200 community leaders, activists, elected officials, and government representatives to its New York Legislative Meet and Greet on Tuesday evening, reaffirming the organization's commitment to advocacy and the enduring strength of New York's Orthodox Jewish community.
Against the backdrop of the New York City skyline,and against the backdrop of rising antisemitism both in New York and around the world, the evening carried a message of resilience and determination.
Setting the tone in his opening remarks, Agudath Israel board member Chaskel Bennett declared, "We are not going anywhere."
He continued, "We will stand up for ourselves. We will stand up for our community. We will stand up for the Jewish people and for our Jewish identity. We will do so with grace, dignity, courage, and confidence. We will never be intimidated into silence, and we will never apologize for who we are or for standing up for what is right."
Mr. Sol Werdiger, Agudath Israel's Chairman of the Board highlighted Agudath Israel's role as a national advocacy organization, including its efforts across 13 states and its continued work with government leaders in Albany, New York City Hall, Washington, D.C., and beyond. He pointed to recent advocacy successes, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul's intention to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, which will provide new opportunities to support students and families across the state.
During the program, Agudath Israel presented a mezuzah to New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin in recognition of her steadfast friendship and unwavering support of the Jewish community, particularly her leadership in advancing initiatives to help keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.
Speaker Menin addressed the alarming rise in antisemitism and reflected on her personal connection to the issue as the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, reaffirming her commitment to standing with the Jewish community.
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine was also honored with a mezuzah in appreciation of his many years of friendship and consistent support for the Jewish community. In his remarks, Comptroller Levine praised the Jewish community's enduring contributions to New York City and echoed the evening's central theme.
"We are not going anywhere," he said. "We are part of the past of this city. We are part of the present of this city. We will be a part of the future of this city."
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D NY-9) also addressed attendees, reaffirming her commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities.
"I am resolute that bigotry, violence, discrimination, and any prejudices toward the Jewish communities of America and our world will never be tolerated, never be accepted, and I will continue to fight to ensure that Jewish families and communities are respected and protected," she said.
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Original text here: https://agudah.org/agudath-israel-new-york-legislative-meet-and-greet-affirms-strength-and-resolve-amidst-rising-antisemitism
[Category: Religion]
