Jeffrey Bronfman is an educator, philanthropist, and environmentalist who was first introduced to the Hoasca tea (and the União do Vegetal religion) when visiting the Amazon to establish an ecological preserve in 1990. In 1994 he became the first ordained Mestre of the religion living outside of Brazil. For 10 years he served as the lead strategist and plaintiff in a precedent setting legal action, which legalized the religious use of the sacred tea in the United States.
Ms. Hollander is an internationally recognized criminal defense lawyer from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Her practice is largely devoted to representing individuals and organizations accused of crimes, including those involving national security issues. In addition to representing the UDV in the Supreme Court of the United States, Ms. Hollander served as a consultant to the defense in a high profile terrorism case in Ireland, has assisted counsel in other international cases and represents two prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. She is also lead counsel for Chelsea Manning on appeal to the Army Court of Appeals. She has been accepted as a lead counsel for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and as counsel for the International Criminal Court.
John Boyd has practiced law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 1973. He has specialized in cases invoking the first amendment’s speech or religion clauses.
“I have defended the right to free exercise of religion and have attacked state and local governments for promoting religion. I also have derived great satisfaction over the years from suing governmental bodies for suppressing and punishing speech. One of my proudest and most gratifying efforts has been working with my beloved partner Nancy Hollander to vindicate the rights of the members of the UDV to practice their religion in peace. The fact that it took twelve years to accomplish, including a trip to the United States Supreme Court, testifies to both the flaws and the blessings of our system of justice. If only it would always function as well as it did in this case, even though its wheels turned slowly.”
Douglas Laycock is a Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, and a leading scholar in the areas of religious liberty and the law of remedies. He has represented parties in four Supreme Court cases on religious liberty. He argues that exempting religious practices from regulation is constitutionally a good thing, but also acknowledges limits to such exemptions.
William Gazecki is an accomplished and respected documentary filmmaker from the United States. His work has been seen and honored around the world for the past 25 years. He is an Academy Award nominee and an Emmy Award winning Director. His films span the gamut from issues of injustice, to futuristic studies, and personal/social evolution and empowerment.
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