October 11, 2020 Broadcast Video Premiere

FreethoughtDay.org Our Theme One of the cornerstones of our country's democracy is the right to vote. But, that right has been challenged and diminished at every level of leadership in every state.

On the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, it's our hope that this year's event will not only encourage voter registration and participation in the electoral process – but will inspire a new generation of elected officials who will draft laws and policy with respect to our country's secular foundation.

The History of Freethought Day Freethought Day dates back to 1692, during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Massachusetts Governor William Phips, on October 12, wrote about the quagmire that the trials had become – in part by a reliance on “evidence” of a non-objective nature and especially “spectral evidence” in which the accusers claimed to see devils and other phantasms consorting with the accused.

This year marks the 327th celebration of Freethought Day, and the 18th celebration of California Freethought Day.

The Freethought Day Board and Committee

• David Diskin, President • Angela Garvie And a very special thanks to all of the volunteers who • Becky Mark, Treasurer • Bill Potts have helped us year after • Jamie Snyder- • Eileen Ferber year, our speakers, donors, Hernandez, Secretary • Kaeleigh Pontif sponsors, and all you who • Nick Gray watched this year’s event. • Ken Nahigian Without you, this event • Mashariki Lawson • Marie Bain would not be possible.

• Tom Ikelman We miss seeing all of your faces and look forward to being with you next year.

-The CFD Committee Speakers, Guests, and Entertainers

Dr. Juhem Navarro-Rivera Sean Omar Rivera Juhem is the Political Director and Sean has been a secular activist and Managing Partner at Socioanalítica organizer for ten years, when, at 14 years Research. He is a leading scholar in the old, he was introduced to the Secular study of secularism, race, and politics in Student Alliance. He went on to become the and Latin America and the President of the SSA at the University the author or coauthor of countless of Texas at San Antonio, a speaker at articles, chapters, and reports on secular secular conferences around the nation demographics and politics and on Latinx (and one conference at-sea), and a political behavior. founding member of the SSA National Leadership Council. He holds degrees in political science from the University of Puerto Río Piedras (BA) His work branched into intersectional and the University of Connecticut (M.A./ activism, campaign organizing, and PhD). eventually a role as the Field Director of a progressive youth voter registration You can follow him on non-profit, where he supervised the Twitter @JuhemNR and @Socioanalitica. registration of almost 60,000 young voters across seven major cities.

He now works as a city council aide and spends his free time in San Antonio with his partner, his two-year-old Calina, and a mound of Star Trek memorabilia. Help your employees become more proficient with Microsoft Office through instructor-led, on-site and online training on the software they use every day.

Classes are taught by David Diskin, a certified Microsoft Office “Master”.

A proud supporter of California Freethought Day.

AppliedOffice.net Kavin Senapathy

Kavin is a writer and journalist covering science, health, food, and parenting at outlets like SELF Magazine, Slate, The Daily Beast, Forbes, SciShow, Undark Magazine, and more. She’s also co- founder and contributing editor at SciMoms.com.

She's based in the midwestern United States (ope!) where she is currently quarantine co-parenting a 4th grader, a 2nd grader, a puggle, and an Italian Greyhuahua.

Find her on Twitter @ksenapathy.

Kavin is this year's emcee. Awardees

Evan Clark Arlene Ríos Community Awardee Community Awardee Evan’s work has been inspirational and Arlene, who founded the Fresno Latino untiring. For starting a chapter of the Atheists, helped normalize non-religion Secular Student Alliance (SSA) and later despite centuries of tradition from becoming the board chair of the Mexican and Latinx homes. nationwide SSA, for hosting an We also recognize her for her service in outstanding podcast, and now for serving the US Navy, and proudly bestow upon as the Executive Director of Atheists her our second Community Award. United, we are proud to give Evan a Community award.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) Elected Official Awardee A member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Zoe has championed immigration reform including the 2010 DREAM Act.

She is also known for her work on patent reform, copyright issues, digital rights, and the support of net neutrality.

HAGSA.org

• Meet like-minded thinkers • Attend speaker series & join discussions • Help those leaving religion • Support philanthropy locally and abroad • Join fun activities!

Find our schedule on Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/ACofSJ/events/

Find out more at secular.org Entertainment

Shelley Segal Shelley regularly creates music which An artist, activist, and storyteller, Shelley supports grass-roots activists and uses her music to create the world that performs for secular, atheist, humanist she wants to see. and freethinking communities. Her song Saved is the theme song for The Atheist As a young adult Shelley questioned her Experience. Jewish tradition with it’s rules and rituals that heavily impact women and those Follow her on Twitter @shelleysegal2, who want to live on their own terms. her website, her Patreon, and These themes of free-thinking and on Bandcamp. empowerment inspired her folk-pop protest record, 'An Atheist Album'.

Andy Swan It all began when Andy's oldest brother, George, taught him how to juggle back in 1966.

After high school he went off to join the DeWayne Bros. Circus in Oregon. During his year with them he learned just about everything there was to learn about circus life.

Black Nonbelievers proudly supports California Freethought Day!

Please stay safe, and we hope to see you in January! From Okinawa to Kandahar and across the US, and at Travis Air Force Base, wherever there men and women serve in our military, there are atheists in foxholes. For them, MAAF provides a central global community.

We offer care packages and advice to individuals and advice to civilian and military groups who raise awareness and offer local support.

Join us in FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOMS WE DEFEND. Congratulations, Arlene Ríos! Authors and Podcasters

Seth Andrews Erin Louis Seth, a video producer and former After her first two eye-opening books Christian broadcaster, now hosts The about the stripper world and her Thinking Atheist, one of the most popular memoirs, Erin shares with us her new self online atheist communities in the world, -help book, Expose Yourself, promoting and The Thinking Atheist podcast on critical thinking and self-confidence, Spreaker, a broadcast that has been through humor, challenging insights, and downloaded over 50 million times since her own true personal and career stories. its launch in 2010. A cross between Fifty Shades of The Thinking Atheist is not a person. It is Grey and The God Delusion, Erin titillates an icon encouraging all to reject faith and as she enlightens and challenges readers, pursue reason and evidence. based on her years of taking risks, enduring judgments and self-doubt, With a mix of humor and heart, Seth which led Erin to find her own happiness. Andrews has spoken for audiences large and small in the U.S, Canada, Europe, Her mission now is to help everyone live and about his former faith, the their best lives without the need to promotion of science and skepticism, the please society's unrealistic ideals, to find importance of in this often the courage to be themselves and know crazy world, and why we should all they are not alone, no matter who they pursue a personal relationship with are. reality. He has also authored four books, Learn more at ErinLouis.com or follow most recently Confessions of a Former her @ErinLouis666. Fox News Christian. Individual Sponsors

Joe Morrow

Rozlynn and Russell Worrall

Thomas Westbrook A former missionary-kid turned science- loving skeptic, Thomas is a world traveler and entrepreneur. He grew up in the Ken Nahigian former Soviet Union and spent over 17 for your annual, years of his life in the Muslim world - raised by a young-earth creationist/ generous support of evangelical family. California Freethought Day After falling in love with science at Texas A&M, Thomas founded Holy Koolaid LLC to counter harmful pseudoscience and teach critical thinking.

His YouTube channel, Holy Koolaid, has garnered almost 100,000 subscribers and averages half a million monthly views. Robert Nickelson He’s been featured in Skeptical Inquirer, for supporting the The Friendly Atheist, Fox News, Spectrum News, and CJAD Radio (Viewpoints with California Freethought Day Todd van der Heyden), along with dozens High School Essay of other media appearances. Scholarship Follow him on Twitter @HolyKoolaid. Our Policies and Code of Conduct

The California Freethought Day (CFD) • The speakers and entertainers, unless Committee is dedicated to providing a otherwise stated during their harassment-free experience for everyone, performance, provide consent to regardless of gender, sexual orientation, attendees to take photographs and recordings (video and audio) of their disability, physical appearance, body size, performance. Outside of their race, or religion. performance, understand that they may We expect all participants to follow this code not necessarily wish to pose for of conduct at Freethought Day and all related photographs, provide an autograph, or events. be interviewed.

• Alcohol is not permitted at the event at Zero Tolerance any time and those with alcohol or exhibiting inebriation will be The CFD Committee will not tolerate immediately removed from the event. harassment of attendees, speakers,

• Smoking and vaping are prohibited at all exhibitors, volunteers, or staff in any form. events related to Freethought Day. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual • Weapons of any kind are prohibited, orientation, disability, physical appearance, regardless of lawful status, with the exception of active law enforcement body size, race, religion, sexual images in officers. public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or • Exhibitions of racism, sexism, recording, sustained disruption, inappropriate homophobia, or other stereotyping are physical contact, and unwelcome sexual prohibited. attention.

• Ask for consent before all inter-personal Those asked to stop any harassing behavior are contact, respecting those who do not like expected to comply immediately. Event to be touched and respecting their participants violating this policy will be expelled personal space. from the event (without a refund) at the • To avoid distractions, cell phones and discretion of the CFD Committee. other electronic devices should be set to silent during any presentation. Reporting Harassment

• Refrain from wearing heavy fragrances -- including perfume, cologne, and scented If you are being harassed, notice that shampoo -- which can cause allergic someone else is being harassed, or have any reactions to other attendees. other concerns, please contact a member of the CFD Committee immediately. Committee • Understand that seating marked members can be identified wearing a special "Reserved" (or other similar markings) is "Committee" event button, and usually found for our VIP attendees and those with vision or hearing impairments and at the Registration area or the Volunteer mobility accommodation needs. Hospitality area. Alternatively, you may anonymously report an transfer any personal information to a third party incident online at freethoughtday.org/conduct. without permission from you. We do not store credit card numbers in our databases. Local law enforcement and other emergency services can be reached by dialing 9-1-1. Email Address The non-emergency number for Sacramento When you provide it, this website collects police is 916-264-5471. your email address for the purpose of sending If requested, CFD Committee members will you registration confirmation and other help victims of harassment contact local law information about CFD, as well as enforcement, provide escorts, arrange for a announcements about future events hosted taxi or lodging, or otherwise assist those by the Sacramento Area Coalition of Reason. experiencing harassment to feel safe for the If you wish to have your address removed, duration of the event. please let us know.

A Note to Families Photographs and Video Attendees of CFD (and our reception and CFD welcomes families with children and other related events) provide their consent to expects all attendees to treat these families the CFD Committee to have their picture with courtesy and respect. taken or be included in video footage of the Parents or guardians bringing children are event. These pictures (including audio and responsible for the children's behavior. video) may be used in multiple forms of Parents of younger children should consider media (including the web, social networking, our Family Fun Zone. print, and television). Attendees waive any and all rights to review or approve any use of Parents or guardians should be aware that this content, and expect no compensation. not all language may be suitable for children. Attendees who have brought guests under Further, photographs and video may be taken the age of 18 to CFD are agreeing to these of your family for publicity purposes. Learn terms on behalf of their underage guests. more online. The CFD Committee will consider all requests Your Privacy by attendees to not have their photograph taken, and to have photographs of them The CFD Committee is committed to removed from social media websites upon protecting your privacy. request.

Information Collection Thank You! Should you decide to register, you will be asked to provide your name, contact information, and If you have any questions, please contact the possibly your billing information. When you submit a California Freethought Day Committee: credit card payment request, you are giving us [email protected] permission to submit information necessary to complete the transaction to our credit card processing vendor. We do not give, share, sell or Thanks and Acknowledgments

For their in-kind support of Freethought Day, we would like to especially thank:

• Paul Wiren for the design of our logo and t-shirt • Scholarship Impact for their help launching our Essay Contest • UPrinting for supporting our printing needs with discounted services.

For assisting with the video production of this year’s event, we want to thank:

• Thomas Westbrook for video editing • Shelley Segal for the use of background music

Gold Sponsors ($500+)

• Robert Nickelson

• David Diskin and Applied Office Computer Training

• Ken Nahigian

Silver Sponsors ($250+) Bronze Sponsors ($200+)

• Black Humanists and • Humanist Association of the Nonbelievers of Sacramento Greater Sacramento Area (HAGSA)

• Reason Center Entry Sponsors ($100+) • Black Nonbelievers • Sunday Assembly Sacramento • Atheists and • Freedom From Religion Foundation Other Freethinkers Greater Sacramento Chapter • Atheist Community of San Jose • Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers • American Humanist Association • Sunday Assembly Sacramento • Sunday Assembly East Bay • Secular Coalition for America Champions ($100+)

• Joseph Morrow

• Rozlynn and Russell Worrall

Advocates ($75+)

• Angela Garvie • Ian Garvie • Becky Mark • Jerry Cummings • Benjamin Wade • Michelle Baer • Christine Tweet • Nick Gray • David Herbert • Wayne Orgar • David Noelle

Supporters ($25+) Andy Abbott Ken Powell Bakari Chavanu Linda Fox Ben Tuason Linda Ostrofsky Betsy Kerr Michelle Garcia Brad Clark Mynga Futrell Brett Westover Nancy Sneed Cassie Blevins Pat McGinnis Christie Westover Patrick Desmond Christine Trigeiro Randy Hicks Debbie Allen Richard Thomas Debra Jackson Stan Deutsch Eileen Ferber Susan McLean Jennifer Jank Tarrah Henrie Jim Gronvold Wayne Luney Kathy Warnock Wendy Ikelman

And others who donated after the printing of this program. Video Premiere Schedule Thanks to our Sponsors: All times are approximate.

Noon Welcome by Kavin Senapathy

12:03 Opening Remarks by David Diskin

12:07 Recognition of Rep. Zoe Lofgren

12:12 Shelley Segal

12:16 Sean Omar Rivera

12:25 Seth Andrews

12:33 Thomas Westbrook

12:39 Erin Louis

12:42 Scholarship Essay Winners Merit Onyekwere Jaxson Davis

12:54 Juhem Navarro-Rivera

1:05 Community Awards Evan Clark And special thanks to Arlene Ríos Ken Nahigian and Robert Nickelson.

Follow, Tag, and More: 1:09 Shelley Segal @FreethoughtDay 1:13 Freethought Gallery Inductees @FreethoughtDay 1:17 Closing Remarks @FreethoughtDay