Alejandra Molina
Alejandra Molina is a National Reporter covering Latinos and religion in the West Coast. She is based in Los Angeles. Previously, she was a reporter for the Southern California News Group where she covered cities, immigration, race and religion for newspapers like The Orange County Register, The Press-Enterprise in Riverside and The Los Angeles Daily News.
All Stories by Alejandra Molina
Veterans, Muslim and Jewish groups file support for Sikh recruits suing Marine Corps
By Alejandra Molina — November 16, 2022
(RNS) — Sikhs who serve in the Marine Corps can keep their beards and unshorn hair while on duty but are forbidden from doing so during combat deployment and in the course of boot camp.
Muslim Americans make historic gains in 2022 midterm elections
By Alejandra Molina — November 11, 2022
(RNS) — 'When Muslims run for office today, in 2022 and beyond, … it's rewarded by voters,' said Mohammed Missouri, executive director of Jetpac, a nonprofit that works to increase Muslim representation in US government and politics.
Oregon interfaith leaders declare win in vote to tighten gun control
By Alejandra Molina — November 10, 2022
(RNS) — The gun safety initiative in Oregon would ban the sale of magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds and would require permits and firearm safety courses to purchase any gun.
Californians overwhelmingly support abortion rights over Catholic bishops’ objections
By Alejandra Molina — November 9, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — California will codify the right to abortion in the state’s constitution after voters on Tuesday (Nov. 8) overwhelmingly approved a measure that Catholic bishops and other Christian leaders rallied against.
In run-up to midterms, Muslim groups, mosques push for voter engagement
By Alejandra Molina — November 5, 2022
(RNS) — 'The local work is allowing us to expand voting rights so more people can vote for our candidates,' said Nada Al-Hanooti, executive director of Emgage’s Michigan chapter.
Los Angeles City Council adopts definition of antisemitism amid rise in hate incidents
By Alejandra Molina — November 2, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Council members on Tuesday approved the definition from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that supporters say is an important step in combating antisemitism. Not all agree.
Ahead of midterms, faith plays central role in Republican efforts to win Latino votes
By Alejandra Molina — October 31, 2022
(RNS) — Pew Research Center data looking at 2022 midterm election preferences of Latinos shows that some of the sharpest differences in candidate choice are by religion.
Judge dismisses SPU lawsuit aimed at halting probe into university’s hiring practices
By Alejandra Molina — October 27, 2022
(RNS) — The ruling shows that Seattle Pacific University, a private school associated with the Free Methodist Church, ‘is not above the law,’ said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
White House condemns Kanye-fueled antisemitic freeway demonstration in Los Angeles
By Alejandra Molina — October 24, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The freeway demonstration on Saturday comes after Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was blocked from posting on Twitter and Instagram over antisemitic posts.
Shuttered cannabis church takes fight to reopen to California Supreme Court
By Alejandra Molina — October 21, 2022
(RNS) — Jah Healing Kemetic Temple of the Divine Church claims it is Christian and 'believes that the fragrant cane ingredient of the holy anointing oil described in Exodus 30:22 is cannabis.'
California State University professors sue over caste policy, allege discrimination
By Alejandra Molina — October 20, 2022
(RNS) —The Hindu American Foundation, which is representing the professors, has said treating caste as a specific class of discrimination is a 'misguided overreach.'
Suit: California teacher says Bright Horizons fired her for exercising religious beliefs
By Alejandra Molina — October 14, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The suit claims religious discrimination and wrongful termination after the teacher refused to read children’s books promoting same-sex marriage.
Poll: Latinos, including Christians, overwhelmingly support abortion access
By Alejandra Molina — October 12, 2022
(RNS) — Latino Catholics (73%) were more likely than other Christians (63%) to stand against making abortion illegal, saying it’s wrong to ‘take away the freedom to make those decisions from everyone else,’ the survey found.
Students across country walk out, allege LGBTQ discrimination at religious schools
By Alejandra Molina — October 10, 2022
(RNS) — 'You can just see there's this pattern and movement happening of students and employees at these Christian universities finally saying, ‘enough is enough,'' said Chloe Guillot, a graduate student at Seattle Pacific University.
New poll finds 4 in 10 non-Catholic Latinos were once Catholic and left
By Alejandra Molina — October 7, 2022
(RNS) — Some were raised Protestant, but increasingly many are raised nonreligious, according to one scholar.
