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Congressmen
Sherman and Honda Introduce Resolution on French Ban
[Return to Main French
Ban Page]
On February 12, 2004, Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA)
and Michael Honda (D-CA), co-introduced a resolution (HRES
528) requesting France to modify or abandon its ban on religious
articles of faith in French public schools. To compliment
our on site Congressional education program, we need your
help to gather support for this resolution
Dear Colleague Letter
Support Religious Freedom in France
Dear Colleague:
On Tuesday, the French National Assembly approved a ban
on conspicuous religious articles and symbols in state schools.
The ban will now go to France's Senate and is expected to
receive final passage in early March. When the new school
year begins this September, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and
Sikh children will be forbidden from wearing any of the
following articles or symbols: the Muslim headscarf, yarmulkes,
Sikh turbans, and ostentatious crosses. For many, the new
regulations will mean choosing between their faith and their
education-a dilemma no one should have to face.
In 1989, the highest administrative French court (the
Conseil d'État) ruled that the wearing of religious
insignia in state schools was permissible as long as it
was not done with the aim of "pressure, provocation,
proselytism or propaganda."
Unfortunately, President Chirac, his Cabinet, and now the
French Parliament have decided that showing any religious
affiliation on one's body is tantamount to proselytism and
propaganda. This decision grossly misrepresents the nature
of such practices and will only serve to distort public
understanding of religious devotion.
State control over an individual's expression of faith
runs counter to democratic beliefs in the free exercise
of religion, freedom of speech, and the separation of church
and state. It is our responsibility to encourage other countries
to cherish these principles and to abide by international
conventions supporting religious freedom.
That is why we have introduced H. Res. 528, expressing
the sense of the House that France should modify or abandon
its ban on religious symbols in state schools, and respect
the freedom of all to practice their religious faith without
state interference.
We hope you will join us in supporting religious freedom
in France. To sign on as a co-sponsor of H. Res. 528, please
contact Anna Woodiwiss of Congressman Sherman's office at
x5-5911, or Maria Baron of Congressman Honda's office at
x5-2631.
Very truly yours,
BRAD SHERMAN
Member of Congress
MIKE HONDA
Member of Congress
What to Do
How to Contact Your Representative
in Congress
Go to: www.house.gov
and type in your zip code. The name of your representative
and his or her telephone number will appear.
Please note that this resolution is being introduce in the
House of Representatives. It is not necessary for you to
contact your Senator.
What to Say When You Call
1. Politely introduce yourself
2. Say you are a constituent
3. Say:
a. Congressmen Sherman and Honda have introduced
a resolution (HRES 528) on requesting that France abandon
a ban on religious articles of faith in French public schools
b. You would like your representative to cosponsor
the resolution
4. Ask to speak to the legislative assistant or foreign
affairs staff person who would handle this matter.
5. If you are able to speak to a legislative assistant
or other staffer, reiterate that you want your representative
to cosponsor the Sherman-Honda resolution. Explain why they
should cosponsor it. You may want to make the following
points
a. This resolution is written to request the French
government modify or abandon a ban on religious articles
of faith in French public schools.
b. If the ban is enacted, it will result in Sikhs
not being allowed to wear turbans in school, as required
by the Sikh faith.
c. In addition, Christians would not be allowed to
wear crosses, Jews would not be allowed to wear yarmulkes,
Muslims not being allowed to wear hijabs in public schools
d. This is a fundamental human rights issue. Children
of faith should not have to choose between their faith and
getting an education.
e. There is legitimate fear that a ban would spread
to other countries in Europe. Two German states and ministers
in the Belgian government have expressed interest in enacting
a similar ban
For information and links to a few of the many Sikh organizations
attempting to help fight the French ban please visit www.sikhcoalition.org/frenchban.asp
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