Hello Secular Supporter,

We’re excited to wrap up the week on a positive note: the “Appeal to Heaven” Pine Tree flag has been removed from the State House.

Earlier this legislative session, an anonymous individual or group hung the flag—associated with an insurrectionist movement to integrate church and state—on the second floor of the House lobby, placing it above both the American and Arizona flags.

Secular AZ responded with a letter to House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-25) and Democratic leaders asking for its removal while we prepared for legal action. Constituents like you from all over the state also made numerous contacts with legislators over the past several months.  

We have discovered that as a result, the flag was removed without fanfare some time earlier this month.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who made donations to Secular AZ’s legal department and supported the effort. While on the surface this may seem like a small, symbolic victory, as experts reminded us earlier this year, intermingling religious and state iconography is a significant component of the efforts to make white Christian nationalism the law of the land.

We also couldn't have done it without activists like you bringing it to our attention in the first place! Your vigilance pays off. Please know that our legal department is standing by to be your advocate on any violations of church/state separation. So if you see something, say something! Please contact us if you notice anything you suspect might represent an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion, from prayer at public meetings to religious iconography on display to blatant acts of discrimination.

You can email us at info@secularaz.org.

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