Spokespeople available for additional comments or interviews in both English and Spanish at request
Photos from the summit can be found here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2025
CONTACT: Imelda Mejia (she/her), [email protected]
DALLAS, Texas — Texas Freedom Network (TFN) this week joined more than 150 advocates from 22 states at the National Religious Freedom in Public Schools Summit, hosted by Interfaith Alliance and co-hosted by a broad coalition of civil rights, faith, and education organizations. Together, faith leaders, educators, and community advocates made it clear: politicians pushing Ten Commandments mandates, chaplain bills, and government-scripted religion are threatening the freedom of every student to learn in safe, welcoming classrooms.
TFN President & Executive Director Felicia M. Martin spoke on the opening night panel, Lessons from Texas for the Rest of the Country, alongside Bee Moorhead, Executive Director of Texas Impact, and Rabbi Mara Nathan, Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, moderated by Rev. Alyssa Aldape, Faith Organizer and Programs Manager at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“Texans know that true religious freedom means families — not politicians — decide what faith, if any, our kids are taught,” said Felicia Martin (she/her), Executive Director of the Texas Freedom Network. “Forcing one religious perspective into classrooms undermines the freedom of all students to feel safe and respected. TFN is proud to work with youth leaders who are defending their right to dignity, inclusion, and opportunity in public schools.”
On Tuesday, TFN facilitated the breakout session “Next Generation Defenders: Mobilizing Youth for Religious Freedom in Public Schools.” The session, joined by Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and the ACLU of Texas, centered students as leaders in the fight against religious coercion in schools, connecting young activists across states to share organizing strategies, build power, and develop shared messaging that frames youth advocacy as pro-religious freedom for all.
Throughout the Summit, national and state leaders including AFT President Randi Weingarten, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Amanda Tyler of BJC, Dr. Mark Chancey of SMU, and Dr. Steven K. Green of Willamette University made clear that forcing religion into our public schools is part of a larger political agenda to roll back true religious freedom. Together, advocates committed to growing grassroots power, sharing resources, and putting youth voices at the center of the fight to protect every student’s dignity and freedom.
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The Texas Freedom Network (tfn.org) is a grassroots organization of religious and community leaders and young Texans building an informed and effective movement for equality and social justice.
