Press conference Tuesday: Transparency, politicized de-banking at Chase

WHO: Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel and senior vice president of corporate engagement at Alliance Defending Freedom; David Bahnsen, managing partner and chief investment officer of The Bahnsen Group; Sam Brownback, former ambassador at large for international religious freedom, U.S. senator, and governor of Kansas; Scott Shepard, fellow at National Center for Public Research; John Murante, Nebraska state treasurer; and Marlo Oaks, Utah state treasurer

WHAT: Press conference following Bahnsen’s proposal Tuesday at JPMorgan Chase’s annual shareholder meeting calling on the board of directors to evaluate and issue a report on the bank’s disturbing trend of politicized debanking, including its closure of the National Committee for Religious Freedom account, Brownback’s nonprofit advocacy group that exists to defend the right of every American to live out their faith freely.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16, at 1 p.m. EDT

WHERE: Online only; RSVP to ADF Media Relations Specialist Jacqueline Ribeiro at jribeiro@adflegal.org to receive the Zoom invite.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Bahnsen will discuss the shareholder proposal he introduced at JPMorgan Chase’s shareholder meeting. Bahnsen’s proposal cites the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index—the first comprehensive benchmark measuring corporate respect for free speech and religious freedom—raises concerns over the rise in politicized de-banking, and asks Chase to conduct an audit of its impact on customers’ civil liberties.

Tedesco will also preview the launch of Viewpoint Diversity Score’s 2023 Business Index, which scores 75 corporations in big tech, financial services, and media industries. The Index evaluates corporate policies, practices, and activities to measure companies’ respect for free speech and religious freedom, of which Chase scored just nine percent this year. The Index’s benchmarks and suite of model policies are a roadmap for ending viewpoint-based cancellations, discrimination against employees because of their religious and social beliefs, and public advocacy that damages religious freedom, free speech, employee relations, and corporate brands.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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