FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, ACLU of Texas (713) 942-8146 x 109 or (832) 691-7013; [email protected]
Sandhya Bathija, Americans United (202) 466-3234 or (330) 327-3721; [email protected]
HOUSTON -- The ACLU of Texas and Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) have announced additional speakers for the Family, Faith and Freedom event, to be held this Friday, August 5.
The keynote speaker will be the Rev. William Lawson, founding Pastor of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. He is known for his work “bridging the gap between the powerful and the powerless.”
The Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive Director of AU, is a long time activist and lawyer in the civil liberties field and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Rev. Lynn has appeared frequently on national television to offer his analysis of First Amendment issues.
The Family, Faith and Freedom event will be held at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 5801 W Montgomery Road, Houston, on Friday, August 5, from 7-9 p.m.
MEDIA: please RSVP to [email protected] to reserve media seating.
Newly named speakers include:
· Mini Timmaraju is the President of the Indo-American Political Action Committee for Greater Houston, where she works to promote and encourage political involvement and increase political awareness in the Indo-American community residing in the Greater Houston area.
· Dr. Ariel Thomann grew up under the Peron regime in Argentina, and was the son of a second-generation missionary for an evangelical Protestant denomination. These experiences influenced his decision to never surrender the right, and the duty, to use his free mind. He is one of the founding members of Humanists of Houston.
· There will also be a member of the Jewish community present to read a statement given by Rabbi Steve Morgen, from Congregation Beth Yeshurun. Due to the Sabbath, Rabbi Morgen is not able to attend the event. The Rabbi is active in the Houston community, does outreach in interfaith activities, and serves as board member of the Jewish Federation, ADL, and Interfaith Ministries of Houston. Rabbi Morgen’s sermon “My Response to the Response” notes the issues he has with “The Response,” a Christians-only event led by Gov. Rick Perry set for Saturday, Aug. 6, at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
· There will also be a representative from the Muslim community.
Additional speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.
