Blessings Glorious Faithful Watchmen, Prayer Warriors, Intercessors,
We praise you and thank you Lord that as Watchmen we wait and watch you perform your word. The Lord is moving. Eyes to See and Ears to Hear.
Please pray into the religious exemption repeal bill that comes before the Senate this coming Tuesday. Seek the Lord and take action as the Lord leads.
Love & Light, Janet
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CT FREEDOM ALLIANCE PLACES STATE SENATORS ON NOTICE THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION IS ILLEGALThe following notice was emailed to all
Connecticut State Senators tonight:
Dear Connecticut State Senators:
The CT Freedom Alliance, LLC writes to provide you with the following legal notice regarding House Bill 6423, An Act Concerning Immunizations. After being passed by the House of Representatives, as amended, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, it is our understanding that the Senate intends to take up this bill for floor debate and a vote on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Please let this serve as a formal notice that it is our belief that the removal of the religious exemption to mandatory immunizations in Connecticut will violate the United States Constitution, the Connecticut Constitution, as well as state and federal law as follows:
1. The removal of the religious exemption will violate the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article First, Section 3 of the Connecticut Constitution, in that it penalizes those who exercise their religious beliefs against vaccination by refusing to provide an education to any person who chooses not to vaccinate for religious reasons.
2. The removal of the religious exemption will violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, in that it gives preference to some religious beliefs (those that do not include an objection to vaccination) over others (those that include a religious objection to vaccination).
3. The removal of the religious exemption will violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and Article First, Section 20 of the Connecticut Constitution, in that it provides an education to some (those who do not have a religious objection to vaccination) while denying it to others (those who have a religious objection to vaccination, and exercise that objection). The so-called “grandfathering” provision of the bill (even if left in place as currently constituted for students in Grades K-12), further violates these equal protection clauses by providing preferential treatment on the basis of age (pre-Kindergarten students will not be grandfathered).
4. The removal of the religious exemption will violate Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 10-15c, which provides that “each child shall have … an equal opportunity to participate in the activities, programs and courses of study offered in such public schools … without discrimination on account of … religion.”
5. The removal of the religious exemption will violate Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 46a-64, which provides that it is a discriminatory practice for a place of public accommodation (which includes public schools) “to discriminate, segregate or separate on account of … creed.”
6. The removal of the religious exemption will violate the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., in that it will deny a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The IDEA requires local education agencies which receive federal funding for special education programs and services to provide a FAPE to every student on an IEP. No exception is made for special education students who exercise their sincerely held religious belief not to vaccinate.
7. The removal of the religious exemption will violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, in that it will deny a FAPE to students with disabilities. Section 504 requires school districts to provide a FAPE to qualified students who have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. No exception is made for students on 504 Plans who exercise their sincerely held religious belief not to vaccinate.
8. The removal of the religious exemption will violate Article Eighth of the Connecticut Constitution, which provides children in the state with a fundamental right to a public education. See Sheff v. O’Neill, 238 Conn.
1, 21 (1996) (“Our Connecticut constitution … contains a fundamental right to education and a corresponding affirmative state obligation to implement and maintain that right.”).
Please also be advised that, in the event this legislation is passed into law, the CT Freedom Alliance, LLC intends to file a lawsuit to challenge its constitutionality and its legality. We are not the only organization preparing such a lawsuit. Defending these legal challenges will be an unnecessary drain on state resources. We are hopeful that you will carefully consider the points we have raised herein, and oppose this bill when it comes before you for a vote.
Sincerely,
Brian D. Festa, Esq.
General Counsel, CT Freedom Alliance, LLC
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