SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell, also serving as the chair of a Christian political action committee, ignited controversy by texting 102,654 African-American voters in the state regarding President Joe Biden’s proclamation designating Easter Sunday as “Transgender Day of Visibility.”
Expressing concern that this proclamation could lead to a loss of support from African- American churchgoers for Biden and the Democratic Party, Sorrell emphasized the sanctity of Easter in Christian tradition. He highlighted a perceived contrast between the Republican Party’s alignment with Christian morals and values, contrasting it with the actions of the Democratic Party.
The text message sent to Alabama’s black voters urged them to defend Christian values by contacting the National Democrat Party and advocating for a return to recognizing Easter as a religious holiday. Sorrell’s decision to send the targeted message was reportedly influenced by a New York Times poll showing increased support for former President Donald Trump among African-American voters.
The announcement of Biden’s proclamation stirred strong reactions from Alabama politicians with Senator Tommy Tuberville labeling Democrats as a “Satanic Cult.” Representative Dale Strong, Barry Moore, and Jerry Carl condemned the move as an “assault on Christianity in America,” demanding an apology from the Biden administration.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s proclamation coincided with a directive regarding the annual practice of National Guard families designing Easter eggs, sparking further criticism on social media platforms. Despite some observers attributing the timing of the proclamation to coincidence, the debate over the intersection of politics, religion, and cultural symbolism continued to fuel heated discourse in Alabama.