Attending the 2025 Summit for Religious Freedom as a Youth Organizing Fellow was nothing short of inspiring. As someone from Southeast Los Angeles, I felt proud and excited to help facilitate the first-ever SRF Organizing Institute. My table included folks from across California, which made it easy to dive into personal conversations rooted in shared local experiences. The connection felt natural and meaningful!
What stood out to me was how those local conversations grew into something much larger. I also had the opportunity to speak with attendees from across the country, representing a wide range of religious and non-religious backgrounds. Hearing why people are drawn to Americans United and how church-state separation impacts their communities was incredibly powerful.
One of the most memorable moments for me was hearing American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten speak about the threats to public education from Project 2025 and the Trump administration. As someone who grew up in public schools and as an aunt to a nine-year-old currently attending one, I felt deeply connected to her message. I especially appreciated her emphasis on organizing together as a community instead of acting alone.
The summit reminded me that building a future rooted in freedom and justice takes all of us, working together and learning from one another.