Marcy Woodruff, co-chair of the Humanists in Action team, presented HumanistsMN’s 2026 Religious Freedom Champion Award to Rep. Mike Freiberg at a lunch on Jan. 17. The text of Marcy’s remarks follows.
Good afternoon! It is my honor to introduce a fierce religious freedom champion. Rep. Mike Freiberg is in his seventh term representing the northwest Minneapolis suburbs and is running for state senator in his district this year. His dedication to public service and efforts to make Minnesota a better, safer space are quite impressive.
Today, we’re acknowledging Rep. Freiberg’s powerful actions and vital commitment to our country’s foundational principle of separation of religion and government.
As a legislator, Rep. Freiberg has introduced several measures to protect the religious freedom of people of any faith and people with none. From legislation prohibiting belief-based vaccine exemptions, to allowing End-of-Life and Secular Addiction Recovery Options, Rep. Freiberg promotes policy and choices for the well-being of all.
In the last two legislative sessions, he’s also introduced a House resolution recognizing January 16 as “Religious Freedom Day” in Minnesota, a resolution based on the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom upon which the First Amendment of our Constitution was modeled.
While these bills and resolutions have not yet passed, Rep. Freiberg’s tenacity and persistence in continuing to present legislation that ensures all of us can pursue our happiness, no matter our religious beliefs, is tremendously appreciated.
He has also promoted humanist, and inclusive, values by inviting secular celebrants to perform the invocation before legislative sessions.
In 2022, Rep. Freiberg, partnering with like-minded legislators in the Minnesota Senate, was instrumental in the creation of a Secular Government Caucus. This caucus was formed in part as a response to the rise in Christian Nationalism that has made some politicians think it’s okay to impose their personal religious beliefs on others. Rep. Freiberg is a co-chair of this important legislative caucus.
Outside of his role as a legislator, Rep. Freiberg has discussed the importance of religious liberty and secular government on podcasts and television. He’s participated on a panel of secular officials discussing healthcare sharing ministries, a largely unregulated form of health coverage (NOT insurance!) that often requires members to agree to follow a common set of religious beliefs. He’s supported his Muslim neighbors by observing during Friday prayers, watchful for targeted immigration enforcement.
Rep. Freiberg wholeheartedly believes in true religious freedom for all. We are so very grateful for all he does to protect this most precious and fundamental freedom.
Please join me in welcoming – and thanking – the recipient of the 2026 Religious Freedom Champions Award, Rep. Mike Freiberg!
Note: The Religious Freedom Champions Lunch was part of HumanistsMN’s half-day Religious Freedom Forum at First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. Read about the forum here.
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