The secular movement will be out in force at the Reason Rally, showcasing a growing voting bloc that wants science and facts to be the basis of public discourse.
More than 30 scientists, entertainers, artists and others will be speaking at the rally on June 4 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Among those scheduled to speak include scientist-educator Bill Nye, actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, illusionist Penn Jillette, comedian Julia Sweeney, noted skeptic James Randi, physicist Lawrence Krauss and FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker.
FFRF is one of the major sponsors of the event and Gaylor and Barker are members of the board of directors for the Reason Rally Coalition.
The largest gathering of nonreligious people in history will reinforce the increasing power and number of those who do not want religion to determine public policy. Both Gallup and Pew have found that the number of unaffiliated adults is growing so fast, especially among younger Americans, that they have eclipsed mainstream Protestants. The Reason Rally is appealing to people of all ages, genders and races to come together around the common need for sound public policy.
“Everyone who has ever buckled a seatbelt or ducked at gunfire is part atheist and a little afraid that God might not protect them,” Jillette said. “We need to let America know that some of us aren’t even pretending to believe anymore.”
While the main day of the Reason Rally is June 4, there are actually four days of events, from Thursday, June 2, through Sunday, June 5.
“Reason and freethought are important to me,” said Heard. “Coupled with and enabling the pursuit of knowledge, they are essential to my humanity.”
Sophia Kameron, a 15-year-old songwriter and artist, will debut her single “Connected” at the rally. The song showcases her commitment to raising awareness of equality for all, regardless of race or religion. “It’s never been more important for people my age to voice their concerns about the world around them.”
For more information and to see a full list of the speakers, go to reasonrally.org. Freethought Today will have photos of the event in the June/July issue.
