Standing Up to the ACLU in Tennessee

Our attorneys in Nashville are defending a school district against a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.

We represent the Sumner County Schools in Gallatin, Tennessee. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit against the school system as well as a motion for a temporary restraining order - trying to put a stop to an event scheduled for today - a drug and alcohol awareness event sponsored by the school system to be held at a church.

The ACLU went to federal court to try and stop this event from taking place.  I'm pleased to report that the court rejected that motion - clearing the way for that event to take place today. The court's order is posted here.

It is heartening that the court recognized the reality that not all interactions between the government and religious entities violate the Constitution.

The fact is that when the government chooses to use a religious facility for purely secular reasons, the fact that religious activities take place there at other times does not automatically result in an Establishment Clause violation.

We're now preparing a response on behalf of our client regarding the ACLU's lawsuit.

We're confident that our client and its mission to educate children complies with the U.S. Constitution. We will vigorously defend the school system against the allegations in the ACLU's complaint.