Sami Al-Asady

A child of war refugees and a first-generation college student, Sami embraces his diverse academic and multicultural background in his contributions to public service, civil liberties, and social justice. He studies political science at ASU Barrett, The Honors College to one day emerge as a leader in foreign and domestic politics. Outside the classroom, Sami is an activist fighting for the civil liberties of marginalized communities in the United States, especially secular and LGBTQ+ communities. At the state and federal levels, he campaigned for State Representative Judy Schwiebert, interned for Congressman Ruben Gallego, and currently sits on the Board of Secular AZ. Sami has received the Freedom From Religion Foundation Al Luneman Student Activist Award at their National Conference in Boston, MA, the Elks National Foundation Award for Most Valuable Student, and was also selected for the 2021 Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar.

Roe v. Wade Overturned, Christian Nationalism Activated

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            Today, June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court has overruled nearly five decades of precedent, striking down the landmark Roe v. Wade which established the constitutional right to abortion. The horrifying decision comes in the wake of a Trump-installed court that is decidedly right-wing, underpinned by conservative political ideologies unrepresentative … Read more

Women’s Bodies, Ducey’s Choice

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Governor Doug Ducey just signed three bills violating constitutional principles: SB1164, banning abortion after 15 weeks; SB1165, prohibiting trans girls from sports; and SB1138, restricting gender transitions. Each is a reminder that there are lawmakers who pay no regard to the constitutional separation of church and state, the Establishment Clause, nor our founding principles. Prejudicing marginalized communities and … Read more

We Are Not in Revolutionary America: Take Down the Damn Pine Tree Flag

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During the first week of the legislative session, Secular AZ learned that a Christian nationalist Appeal to Heaven flag is being hanged in a public area of the State House building. The Pine Tree Flag dates back to the American Revolution. Colonists disobeyed orders disallowing the cultivation of pine trees, which Britain wanted for the construction … Read more

“Pale, Male, and Yale”: Will the State Department Reflect America’s Diversity?

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The federal agency tasked with conducting U.S. foreign policy and representing the nation abroad is associated with an identity that does not capture the experiences of ordinary Americans – it captures the opposite. “Pale, Male, and Yale” is a long-running joke at the State Department that reflects an unfortunate reality. For decades, the Department has … Read more