An Attack on Religious Freedom

An FBI Special Agent, whistleblower, in January 2023, published a memo from the FBI Richmond Field Office in which Catholics were characterized as "racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists." The memo specifically targets "radical-traditionalist Catholics," as "anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and (of) white supremacist ideology."

According to the Epoch Times, the FBI National Press Office disavowed the memo on February 9, 2023, stating the FBI would never conduct investigative activities based solely on First Amendment-protected activity.
The Virginia Attorney General, Jason Miyares, has asked for answers and wrote a letter to the FBI demanding all material related to the memo. Twenty state attorneys general have signed the letter with Miyares. (Arizona is not one of them.)

• Catholic League condemns FBI internal memo targeting Catholics
• DOJ, FBI targeting Catholics as 'violent extremists' under scrutiny by state AGs: 'Bigotry' is 'festering'
• State AGs Seek Answers From FBI, DOJ Over Targeting of Traditionalist Catholics

Religious freedom is more than the freedom to worship at a synagogue, church, or mosque. It also means that people should not have to go against their core values and beliefs in order to conform to culture or government. Religious freedom protects people's right to live, speak, and act according to their beliefs peacefully and publicly. It protects their ability to be themselves at work, in class, and in social activities.