AR gov signs bill protecting religious freedom
The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen regarding Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ signing of the Conscience Protection Act, a bill that ensures that Arkansans are free to live and work according to their faith without fear of unjust government punishment:
“Citizens should be able to stand up for their rights when the government stops them from living and worshiping according to their faith. The Conscience Protection Act strengthens Arkansans’ religious freedom rights by bolstering existing protections in the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and ensuring the government will not discriminate against religious individuals and organizations. The law doesn’t determine who will win every disagreement, but it does ensure that all Arkansans—regardless of their religious creed or political power—receive a fair hearing if government action forces them to violate their religious beliefs. As the Supreme Court wrote in the ADF case Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, to discriminate on the basis of religious identity ‘is odious to our Constitution…and cannot stand.’ We commend the Arkansas Legislature, Rep. Robin Lundstrom, and Gov. Huckabee Sanders for enacting this important legislation, ensuring that freedom of religion is protected for all Arkansans.”
- Pronunciation guide: Chafuen (CHAFF’-wen)
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
# # #
Related Resources
ABOUT Greg Chafuen
Greg Chafuen serves as senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom’s Center for Public Policy. He crafts legislation and advises government officials on policies that promote religious liberty and other civil rights. Since joining ADF in 2020, Chafuen has authored state and federal legislation defending fundamental civil rights. He regularly provides testimony and legal analysis on how proposed legislation will impact constitutional freedoms and advises lawmakers and policy organizations on the importance of laws and policies that protect First Amendment rights. Prior to joining ADF, Chafuen spent three years as a white-collar defense litigator at a prominent law firm in Washington, D.C. and one year as a law clerk to the Hon. Alice Batchelder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Chafuen earned his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School, graduating cum laude in 2015. While at Notre Dame, he served as president of the Notre Dame chapter of the Federalist Society. Chafuen is admitted to the bars of Virginia and Washington, D.C.