Press Release
Interfaith Alliance Appalled by Vitriolic MSG Rally; Rallying Diverse Faith Communities to Reject Hate, Defend Democracy
At Donald Trump’s “closing rally” for his campaign in New York last night, both Trump and his political allies repeatedly used vitriolic, extreme and hateful rhetoric directed at immigrants, people of color, Vice President Harris, and a wide range of communities who they view as, in Trump’s words, “the enemy within.”
Some of the disgusting rhetoric included referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” calling Vice President Harris “the devil” and “the antichrist,” and again promising to target and deport immigrants and “liberate” America from them. Many of the comments were openly antisemitic, anti-Muslim and racist toward many different communities.
In response to this outpouring of hate and threats, Interfaith Alliance’s president and CEO Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush issued the following statement:
“For the many millions of Americans dedicated to a vision of our country as a welcoming, multi-faith and multi-racial democracy, last night’s rally was an appalling and frightening spectacle. It was a stark reminder that extreme demagogues are determined to undermine democracy, divide communities against each other, and govern through intimidation, oppression and violence. They are taking direct aim at the religious and ethnic diversity that makes up the rich and vibrant fabric of our country.
“The majority of Americans of diverse faiths and beliefs reject this ideology of hatred and scapegoating – and it’s incumbent on us to do everything we can to mobilize our communities against it. Now is the time for religious leaders and communities to get out the vote, defend democracy, and reach across lines of difference to build inter-communal solidarity. Now is the time to make clear that those who falsely use the guise of religion as a tool to oppress or dominate others do not speak for us.”
Rev. Raushenbush and Interfaith Alliance are today kicking off “The Vote is Sacred Bus Tour” in Omaha Nebraska. The tour will travel through states between Nebraska and Pennsylvania in the lead up to election day, hosting events with local affiliates and faith leaders aiming to increase voter turnout and highlight the role of diverse religious communities in pro-democracy activism. It is a counterforce to extremist voices who are attempting to suppress the vote while advocating for a narrow, anti-democratic vision of religious coercion and uniformity.
Transcript
“Religious Liberty” Commissioner’s Attack on Separation of Church and State Shows Dangerous Intent to Repress Constitutional Freedoms
At a hearing this week of President Trump’s “Religious Liberty Commission”, the commission’s chair, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, said that “the separation of church and state is the biggest lie that’s been told in America since our founding.”
Interfaith Alliance Applauds Court Ruling Protecting Houses of Worship from Partisan Politics
Interfaith Alliance is a leading advocate for multi-faith democracy and healthy boundaries between religion and government. It was among the founding organizations of a national sign-on letter, joined by more than 1,800 nonprofit organizations, voicing opposition to the proposed settlement agreement in National Religious Broadcasters v. Bessent, a case in which the Trump administration and a coalition of religious broadcasters sought to create an effective exemption to the Johnson Amendment, the 70-year-old law that bars 501(c)(3) organizations, including houses of worship, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Had the settlement been approved, religious leaders would have been able to make partisan endorsements from the pulpit without risking their tax-exempt status. Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas dismissed the case, finding it lacked jurisdiction.
Interfaith Alliance Continues to Oppose Harmful Anti-LGBTQ Medical Practices Masquerading as Care
Interfaith Alliance is a leading advocate for multi-faith democracy and healthy boundaries between religion and government. It joined a friend-of-the-court brief from religious organizations in Chiles v. Salazar, in support of Colorado’s right to protect LGBTQ+ youth from harmful, discredited “conversion therapy” practices.