By PRESS RELEASE - SECULAR COALITION FOR AMERICA
Added: Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:18:15 UTC

Protest the Exclusion of a Secular Representative
At the Mayoral Inauguration’s Interfaith Service

Who: You and anyone who is willing to protest the exclusion of a secular representative at the Interfaith Service.

What: Exercise your First Amendment Rights by standing, holding signs, and speaking out about the exclusion of secular representation at Mayor-Elect Gray’s “One City … Praying Together” Interfaith Service.

When: This Sunday, January 2. From 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. (Doors for the Interfaith Service open at 7 a.m. and the service begins at 8 a.m.)

Where: Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Meet at the corner of 9th St. NW and Mt. Vernon—right next to the Metro Stop and close to the main entrance of the convention center.
Nearest Metro: Yellow/Green Line, Mt. Vernon Sq.
Parking: Bring money for parking!

How: Wear (warm) secular clothing and bring signs to show Mayor-Elect Gray and others how we feel about our exclusion. Examples: “Atheists Left Out in the Cold.”

    “We Vote Too!”
    “Inspiration Isn’t Just Divine!”
    “We Demand Equality!”
    “On the Road to Theocracy?”
    “There’s Room for Everyone in Government!”

Why: Secular Coalition for American asked for inclusion of a Humanist Celebrant for this event as soon as SCA staff learned of it, not because SCA endorses government-sponsored religious events (it doesn’t!), but because many members of the secular community do utilize the service of Secular Rabbis, Secular Celebrants, and Humanist Celebrants for many of their special life occasions, joyous and sorrowful. This event is one of those times when the secular community could have participated and shared with the entire community how many of us express inspiration and encouragement without invoking a deity. Except, we were told there was no room for us.

Please join us for a peaceful protest of the secular community’s exclusion from representation at the mayor-elect’s Interfaith Prayer Service.

Warnings: Do not block sidewalks and other public spaces so that passersby can not pass or enter the facility. Do not impede the progress of anyone attempting to attend the service. Do not argue with any police or security official. Do not bring any weapons.

RSVP: Please email amanda@secular.org if you plan to attend, so she may keep update everyone if things change.

TAGGED: ANNOUNCEMENTS, CAMPAIGNS, ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE