Tell the Oregon Governor to Allow Sikhs to Teach
We need your help. After Oregon's Legislature passed a law in February repealing a 1920s statute banning the wearing of religious garb by public school teachers, House Bill 3686 is among the remaining few bills still awaiting signature from Governor Ted Kulongoski.
We must make sure the Governor knows of our strong national commitment to HB 3686. Oregon is among the last states to hold on to this archaic law passed by the KKK in the early 1920s. The strong support this bill enjoyed in both chambers of the Legislature (51-8 in the House and 21-9 in the Senate) and among statewide elected officials is a clear sign it's time to repeal this law.
Sign our online petition to let the Governor know how you feel: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5227/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2477
During the successful bipartisan efforts to pass HB 3686 through the Oregon Legislature, many groups and individuals testified in support of the legislation. We heard the voices of students who want to be teachers but are unable to teach in Oregon schools because of the clothing they wear to adhere to their faith. We heard the voices of religious leaders appealing to Oregon's lawmakers to allow all its citizens to practice their religion freely. We heard the voices of legal experts who discussed the experiences of 47 other states that do not have this ban, and recent Supreme Court decisions that indicate Oregon's current law is likely unconstitutional.
Our message is even more compelling coming on the heels of a US Army decision this week to allow a Sikh officer to wear his turban while representing our nation in combat.
Oregon teachers who are Sikh, Muslim, Jewish or any other religion requiring specific clothing be worn should have the right to both practice their religion and adhere to the religious neutrality tenets of both the Oregon and US Constitution. This law is not about allowing proselytizing in the classroom; it is about religious freedom for those dedicated individuals who desire to teach our children.
So please, take a moment TODAY to heed this call to action and add your voice to the support for Governor Kulongoski to sign HB 3686.
ACTION STEPS
1. Call the Governor TODAY and respectfully ask him to sign HB 3686: 503-378-45822. Sign our online petition: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5227/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2477
3. Forward this message to anyone who supports religious freedom
