AR, IA, TN governors sign bills to protect citizens’ freedom to support charities without harassment

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Zack Pruitt regarding the Arkansas governor’s signing of SB 535, the Iowa governor’s signing of HB 309, and the Tennessee governor’s signing of HB 159, three pieces of legislation that protect the ability of individuals to privately support charities and other nonprofit organizations of their choice without unnecessary government interference:

“Every American should be free to peacefully support causes they believe in without fear of harassment or intimidation. We commend the Arkansas, Iowa, and Tennessee legislatures for passing bills to proactively protect the confidential information of their citizens, especially during a time in which cancel culture and doxing can discourage charitable giving and result in a violation of First Amendment rights. These bills send the right message: Everyone, not merely those able to weather abuse, deserves a voice. We are thankful to Govs. Asa Hutchinson, Kim Reynolds, and Bill Lee for signing these important bills into law.”

ADF attorneys represent a Michigan-based nonprofit in the U.S. Supreme Court case Thomas More Law Center v. Bonta, which was argued on April 26. The lawsuit challenges California’s requirement that all nonprofit organizations who solicit donations in the state must disclose the names and addresses of major donors to the California attorney general’s office on an annual basis. Last month, 22 states and groups covering the ideological spectrum submitted more than 40 friend-of-the-court briefs in favor of ensuring that Americans remain free to support nonprofit organizations and their causes without fear of harassment or threats.

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.

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