American Civil Liberties Union Sends Greeting Evoking Many Reasons for the Season

E-Greeting Card a First for the Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW YORK – The holiday season can mean many things to different people. And that is precisely the point of a first-ever greeting card from the American Civil Liberties Union.

The e-card, which was released today, extends best wishes for the season to anyone, even if they do not observe a holiday. It reminds readers that “Whatever the reason you celebrate the season, the promise of America is that you can.”

The images in the greeting evoke celebrations of nature and the New Year as well as religious observations traditionally held by Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus.

“The ACLU places the highest premium on the First Amendment rights to religious expression,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “For many different faiths it is a time of celebration. For non-believers it may simply be a time to celebrate the New Year. It is a time for inclusion, not exclusion.”

The First Amendment guarantees that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….” Romero noted those powerful words resonate even more this time of year.

“One of the things that makes this country great is our unfettered ability to worship and observe our faith, or to observe none at all, without fear or favor,” Romero said. “The holiday season is an excellent reminder for why this right is so vital to who we are as Americans, and why we should never take it for granted.”

To view the card, go to https://www.aclu.org/seasonsgreetings/.