Public Expression of Religion Act Could Become a Reality

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Last year, the Public Expression of Religion Act was introduced in Congress. This bill would bar the recovery of attorneys’ fees to those who win lawsuits asserting their constitutional and civil rights in cases brought under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. PERA has already been approved by the House Judiciary Committee, and its proponents have established a scare campaign to make Americans think that–without restricting access to attorneys–religious symbols on military gravestones would be removed. Such symbols are, of course, constitutionally protected.

The ACLU’s letter to the House of Representatives, urging opposition to PERA, is here.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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