Since 2005, our foundation and its President and Founder, Michael L. "Mikey" Weinstein, have worked tirelessly to protect the rights of our clients by fostering a national discussion, influencing military policies, and pursuing legal remedies through our court system. January 2013 – U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan ordered the removal of a steeple and crucifix erected over a remote American base in the Muslim country after a soldier deployed there, who was concerned that the symbols violated Army regulations and could reinforce long-standing suspicions that the United States is fighting a holy war, reported the violations to MRFF. February 2013 – MRFF Demands Action When U.S. Air Force Academy Promotes Reprehensible Homophobic Website as Source for Jewish Holiday Information: MRFF submitted a letter to General Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, demanding that links to a homophobic website no longer be used as educational reference points for matters of the Jewish faith. MRFF followed this with erecting a billboard on 3/5/2013 in Colorado Springs, CO (home of USAFA) and a protest rally on 3/8/2013. Both events received significant coverage, which led USAFA to ‘de-link’ this offensive website. April 2013 – MRFF Meets with Pentagon Officials Regarding Implementation of Religious Neutrality Standards: MRFF President/Founder Mikey Weinstein, MRFF Board Member Ambassador Joseph Wilson, and MRFF Advisory Board Member Colonel (ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson met with a Pentagon group that included several generals and a military chaplain to discuss religious neutrality issues within the U.S. Military. May 2013 – MRFF Forces Removal of Overtly Religious Artwork from Dining Hall at Mountain Home Air Force Base: Fifty-six minutes after Mikey contacted the Pentagon, the image of the crusader, with its odious melding of the crusader flag with the American flag, had been removed from the dining hall. June 2013 – MRFF Successes in Challenging Unconstitutional Religious Activity in the Military Brings Attempt at Congressional Retaliation: On June 13, 2013 Congressman Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) introduced an amendment to the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act. Huelskamp’s amendment, with the heading “Meetings with Respect to Religious Liberty,” was passed by a voice vote in the House. Huelskamp, in a press release, made no secret that the sole purpose of his amendment was to stop Mikey Weinstein from meeting with military officials at the Pentagon. September 2013 – Obama Administration Responds to a ‘We The People’ White House Petition by Citing Changes in ‘Spiritual Fitness’ Test Language and Applicability Recommended by MRFF: MRFF initiated a petition on the White House ‘We The People’ site entitled End the Military’s Discrimination against Non-Religious Service Members. The response from the Obama Administration reflects specific language proposed by MRFF in conjunction with Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, addressing MRFF concerns about the religious and mandatory nature of the ‘Spiritual Fitness’ test as originally implemented. October 2013 – MRFF Exposes Close Ties Between Dominionist Groups Meeting with DoD Officials and Fundamentalist Leader Calling for Military Takeover of U.S. Government: MRFF is working to uncover additional information with a FOIA request. October 2013 – U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Removes ‘Prep-School’ Poster Containing Unconstitutional Religious Oath 68 Minutes After USAFA is Contacted by MRFF President/Founder Mikey Weinstein. November 2013 – MRFF Continues Aggressive Campaign Against Ongoing Christian Fundamentalist Extremism at the USAFA: Within the span of a little over a month, MRFF posted 3 billboards in Colorado Springs, CO., home to USAFA. In October 2013, MRFF was also nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, the sixth nomination since MRFF was founded. This marks the fifth consecutive year that MRFF has received a nomination for its accomplishments in fighting religious bigotry, preventing inter-religious strife, defending servicemembers’ civil rights, and contributing to the cause of maintaining global peace. 13170-B Central Avenue SE, Suite 255, Albuquerque, NM 87123 800-736-5109 www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org
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