As rivers and reservoirs drop to dangerously low levels across Georgia and the state descends deeper into drought, Governor Sonny Perdue has taken swift action. He has enacted forceful water restrictions and appealed to President Bush for help. This week, he also joined lawmakers, ministers, and concerned citizens on the steps of the state Capitol to pray for rain. But the Atlanta Freethought Society, backed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, is fighting back. They are calling this event a gross violation of the separation of church and state and vocally calling for Governor Perdue to back down from his use of human ego and superstition to enjoin citizens in prayer. This is yet another ridiculous encroachment on religious freedom and an extreme misunderstanding of our constitutional right to pray. We stand in solid support of Governor Perdue and his protected right to issue a public prayer vigil on behalf of his state. Please read the form below carefully and declare your membership with the ACLJ by signing our online Proclamation of Solidarity.

Proclamation of Solidarity

The Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor of Georgia

As a member of the American Center for Law and Justice, I stand with Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and other concerned members in solid support of your public expression of faith. The Supreme Court of the United States has long recognized prayer as a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. Despite claims otherwise and the protest of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, this prayer event is constitutional. At this time of great need for divine intervention in the state of Georgia, government officials calling on Gods providence does not represent a constitutional crisis. We applaud and support your bold proclamation for citizens prayer on behalf of your drought-afflicted and beloved state.