In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Trump v. Hawaii, upholding President Trump’s Muslim Ban, People For the American Way President Michael Keegan issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision is a shameful endorsement of religious bigotry and a total abdication of the Supreme Court’s responsibility to act as a guardian for the rights and freedoms of all Americans. There’s simply no question that Donald Trump’s order did exactly what he promised on the campaign trail and after taking office: it specifically targeted individuals based on their religion. This decision is a gross violation of the First Amendment and makes a mockery of the court’s commitment to religious freedom.

“We should be clear: American Muslims are part of our communities and our country. No matter what bigots in the White House may say—and narrow-minded elitists at the Supreme Court may co-sign—Muslims have the same constitutional right to religious freedom as any other American. It’s up to Americans regardless of religion to make clear that this decision is as dangerous and as wrong as Trump’s ban itself.

“In November, every American who cares about the Constitution needs to show up at the polls to throw out elected officials who won’t stand up to Trump’s hateful, unconstitutional, un-American Muslim ban. The future of our country depends on it.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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