Stop this attack on Louisiana's Constitution! HB 340 goes back to the House for a final vote on Wednesday. We urge you to send a 'Thank You' email to legislators who voted Nay the last time the measure came before them and remind them that we need their continued support to defeat House Bill 340. This is a constitutional amendment to redefine "Freedom of Religion." We are concerned that it would allow a "freedom to discriminate" based upon "sincere religious belief." The vote will be on Wednesday, so it is critical that you act on this immediately. This is an awful bill! You don't have to just take our word for this being a bad idea for Louisiana. James Gill of the Times-Picayune wrote a scathing review of the legislation on June 4, 2009. The link can be found online at: http://blog.nola.com/jamesgill/2009/06/james_gill_when_freedom_just_i.html On June 4th, the Times-Picayune editorial staff wrote that the Louisiana Legislature should not mess with Constitution. The link is here: http://blog.nola.com/editorials/2009/06/dont_mess_with_constitution.html You can help defeat this bill by sending emails to the legislators.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm writing to thank you for your Nay vote on House Bill 340 and to strongly encourage you to vote against it when it comes back before you. The Freedom of Religion section of the Louisiana Constitution is the exact same wording as the U.S. Constitution. It is clear and unambiguous, and has been for the last 218 years. It does not need to be changed.

HB 340 would open a Pandora's Box of problems for government at all levels, with all laws (including equal rights laws) subject to religious objections. It transforms our State Constitution's Freedom of Religion to a Freedom to Discriminate. It would also create a freedom to deny medical treatment and medications, including birth control pills and life saving AIDS medicine.

I URGE you vote against HB 340. It is badly written and is bad for Louisiana. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 15, 2009