| | We're so proud to be Arizonans right now... across the state, you showed up and stood up for our rights! Tens of thousands attended Saturday's Hands Off! protests, making it clear that Arizona won't passively accept the Trump administration/DOGE's attempts to burn down our country so billionaires can buy up the remains for pennies on the dollar. Thanks to all who showed up. Now, it's time to show up again, by speaking out against harmful bills that violate the church:state separation that both the U.S. and Arizona state constitutions promise us. - Oppose SB1584: Forces public schools hiring policies to be based solely on “merit” and encourages individuals to sue for claims of reverse racism. Would lead to discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, etc. Use RTS, contact members of House Rules Committee by Monday, and contact your two representatives directly.
- Oppose SB1586: Requires medical professionals to pay the costs for those who received gender-affirming care as a minor, and later want to “gender detransition” and “reclaim their God-given gender.” Retroactive for 25 years after the care was received. Use RTS and contact members of House Rules Committee by Wednesday.
- Oppose SB1164: Forces public schools to open their doors to ICE agents, overriding “safe zone” policies that protect their students and allow educational disruption on school grounds. Contact your representatives directly by Monday.
- Oppose SB2058: Exempts adult students from vaccine requirements based on personal beliefs, not science. Not based in science/facts; public health hazard. Contact your senator directly.
- Oppose SB2063: Schools must tell parents about ways to be exempt from vaccine requirements. Not based in science/facts; public health hazard. Contact your senator directly.
- Oppose HB2724: Requires schools to cooperate with indoctrination/recruitment efforts by “patriotic youth groups,” including presentations during instructional time, posters hanging in schools, etc. Schools cannot deny a group/speaker based on mention of religion. Contact your senator directly.
- Oppose HB2927: Forces school district boards to hold public comments within 30 minutes of start of meetings; will derail and disrupt meetings by forcing attendees to sit through (potentially) hours of public comments (often from those who live outside the district, want to spread disinformation, or seek to disrupt proceedings) before getting to the actual meeting agenda. Contact your senator directly.
- Oppose SB1256: Prevents state agencies or contractors from providing or requiring DEI in hiring, training and promotion, and promotes white Christian nationalism. Contact your two representatives directly.
Thank you for raising your voice the defend the Constitutional requirement of church:state separation. |
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| |  | Secular AZ Responds to Mormon Seminary at Cienega High School The Vail Unified school board has signed a contract with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a.k.a. LDS/Mormon Church) to build a center for religious i̶n̶d̶o̶c̶t̶r̶i̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ instruction at Cienega High School. The church will pay for construction, then lease the building at a lower-than-fair-market rate. The deal also includes reserved parking spaces and the ability to post religious signage. Further, students could receive elective credits for taking religious classes. We've already heard from dozens of residents who are concerned about this situation; if you live in VUSD and want to know what you can do, please contact us at info@secularaz.org. Click here to read Secular AZ Legal Director's Letter to Vail Unified School District |
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 | Riley Black: When the Earth Was Green Due to popular demand, we're excited to announce another science Friday! Please join us on Friday, April 11 at noon for special guest Riley Black, author of When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals and Evolution’s Greatest Romance. Black’s book won the 2024 A Friend of Darwin Award and is described as a tale of “evolutionary romance between plants and animals, played out over hundreds of millions of years... When the Earth Was Green draws from the latest scientific discoveries to lushly reconstruct critical moments of connection that have shaped life on Earth.” Black's science journalism has appeared in National Geographic, Slate, Smithsonian, Nature, Science, atmos, Popular Science, New Scientist, SIERRA, and more. Click here to register for this virtual event. |
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| |  | And the Billionaires Celebrate Last week, the Trump tariffs went into effect, and thank goodness someone is finally taxing those *checks notes* penguin imports!  Economists estimate Trump's tariffs will cost working American families about $4000/yr on average, or about 4% of their disposable income. But hey! They’re owning the libs, sooooo, #winning! Click here to read the rest of Jeanne Casteen's latest Substack. |
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 | "Lager with a Lawyer" – A Secular AZ Community Event Join Secular AZ Tuesday, May 7th from 6-8p for an evening of enlightening conversation, community, and casual drinks at Lager with a Lawyer, a special event where you’ll get the chance to engage directly with two sharp legal minds working on the front lines of church:state separation and constitutional rights. Our guest lawyers are Dianne Post, Secular AZ’s own Legal Director, a fierce advocate for secular policy and human rights, and Robert McWhirter, nationally recognized constitutional attorney and frequent national media contributor, bringing insightful, often witty commentary on civil liberties, criminal justice, and the U.S. Constitution. This is your chance to bring questions, share concerns, or just enjoy an evening of thoughtful discussion in a relaxed setting with others who care about defending democracy and secular values. We're not charging for this event, but your suggested contribution of $10 or more supports Secular AZ’s ongoing legal and advocacy work across the state. |
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| | April 10, 12p: Scottsdale Women Rising: Chaplains Replacing School Counselors and Other Batshit Crazy Things Coming Our Way (virtual event) April 11, 12p: Riley Black, author of When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals and Evolution’s Greatest Romance (virtual event) April 12, 9a-5p: Young Democrats of Arizona 2025 Convention April 12, 10a-12p: Rally to Stop Bills for Billionaires at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix (you do not need to register) April 12, 6p: Prescott Freethinkers' Trivia Night April 13, 9a: Red Rock Rationalist's Sunday Brunch April 18, 12p: Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (virtual event) May 7, 6p: Lager with a Lawyer |
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| | | | Secular AZ
PO Box 47756 | Phoenix, Arizona 85068
6023804810 | info@secularaz.org |
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