Interfaith Leaders Project Messages on DC's National Mall

When religious freedom feels threatened, sometimes the brightest response is literal light. Interfaith Alliance, a coalition of faith leaders from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other traditions, is projecting powerful messages onto the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC to champion religious liberty for everyone.

The display comes ahead of Rededicate 250, a May 17 event on the National Mall that has sparked concerns about religious exclusivity. The rally, headlined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, features speakers that experts have described as Christian nationalists.

Interfaith Alliance partnered with artist Robin Bell to shine messages like "Religious freedom for all" and "The separation of church and state is good for both" across the museum's exterior. The projections remind visitors that America's strength comes from its diversity, not from elevating one faith over others.

"Religious freedom for some is religious freedom for none," said Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. The organization has also filed a lawsuit arguing that the Trump administration's "Religious Liberty Commission" violates federal requirements for balanced membership by skewing overwhelmingly Christian.

The pro-democracy faith movement calls itself champions of everyone's right to worship freely. Their members include leaders from multiple religious traditions working together to protect constitutional principles.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't Interfaith Alliance's first creative stand for inclusion. The group recently rallied faith leaders nationwide to support immigrant communities in Minnesota and ran ads promoting compassion during the holidays on Fox News channels.

Their art installation on the National Mall shows how powerful simple messages can be when projected in the right place at the right time. By literally illuminating the conversation about religious freedom, they're making sure Americans of all faiths see themselves reflected in the country's 250th anniversary celebration.

The projections declare what the group considers a fundamental truth: "America was not founded as a Christian nation." It's a reminder that the nation's founders intentionally created space for all beliefs to flourish.

Faith leaders from different traditions standing together sends its own message about what makes America strong.