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PETITION TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN VETERANS HOME OF
CALIFORNIA
To President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie:
We, the people of the United States, are outraged by the treatment of 84-year-old Artis Breau in
the Veterans Home of California—Yountville (VHCY). Ms. Breau’s late husband served
honorably in World War II and the Korean War. Ms. Breau herself worked in the Pentagon
during the Korean War.
For the past decade, Ms. Breau has lived in the Veterans Home and has actively volunteered with
the chaplaincy services and television programming for the veterans.
In March of this year, CalVet threatened to involuntarily discharge Ms. Breau from the Home
if she did not immediately cease leading bible studies for the most elderly and frail residents.
Based on this threat, the Bible studies were canceled for more than two months.
Even after the Bible studies were restored by CalVet in early May, 2019, the agency has continued
to deny due process and insist it may investigate and punish Artis for simply expressing her faith.
This is unacceptable. Prior to that, VHCY suspended Ms. Breau indefinitely from her volunteer
role—all over official disagreement with and hostility toward her particular religious beliefs.
This is being perpetrated with federal funding.
We know you are deeply committed to the highest level of care for our veterans, and to religious
freedom. We therefore respectfully urge you to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to
thoroughly investigate CalVet and the VHCY, and hold them accountable for their shameful
misuse of federal funds to mistreat a veteran’s widow based on her religious beliefs.
CALIFORNIA
To President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie:
We, the people of the United States, are outraged by the treatment of 84-year-old Artis Breau in
the Veterans Home of California—Yountville (VHCY). Ms. Breau’s late husband served
honorably in World War II and the Korean War. Ms. Breau herself worked in the Pentagon
during the Korean War.
For the past decade, Ms. Breau has lived in the Veterans Home and has actively volunteered with
the chaplaincy services and television programming for the veterans.
In March of this year, CalVet threatened to involuntarily discharge Ms. Breau from the Home
if she did not immediately cease leading bible studies for the most elderly and frail residents.
Based on this threat, the Bible studies were canceled for more than two months.
Even after the Bible studies were restored by CalVet in early May, 2019, the agency has continued
to deny due process and insist it may investigate and punish Artis for simply expressing her faith.
This is unacceptable. Prior to that, VHCY suspended Ms. Breau indefinitely from her volunteer
role—all over official disagreement with and hostility toward her particular religious beliefs.
This is being perpetrated with federal funding.
We know you are deeply committed to the highest level of care for our veterans, and to religious
freedom. We therefore respectfully urge you to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to
thoroughly investigate CalVet and the VHCY, and hold them accountable for their shameful
misuse of federal funds to mistreat a veteran’s widow based on her religious beliefs.
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“This shocking attack from the State against our client’s exercise of religious convictions is deeply disturbing. Artis isn’t fighting just for herself, but for the Gospel and for the residents who are unable to fight for themselves against the State’s attempted intimidation.”
- Brad Dacus
President, Pacific Justice Institute
President, Pacific Justice Institute
Pacific Justice Institute
is a non-profit, legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties. Pacific Justice Institute works diligently, without charge, to provide its clients with all the legal support they need.
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Sacramento, CA 95827-6600
Phone: (916) 857-6900
Fax: (916) 857-6902
Email: info@pji.org
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