Student Prayer Protected

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is distributing an informational letter to nearly one million supporters outlining the rights of students to pray and express their religious faith in the public school setting.  Our letter focuses on the upcoming See You at the Pole event scheduled for September 26th an annual event where students nationwide gather at their schools to pray often around the flagpole.

One of the most basic and fundamental rights of students in the public school setting is to express their religious beliefs and participate in student-led and student-initiated prayer.  The Supreme Court has been very clear in protecting the First Amendment rights of students to pray and express their religious beliefs.  At a time when there is so much uncertainty on public school campuses, we want to ensure that everyone understands the constitutional rights afforded to students who want to pray and express their faith.

In an informational letter emailed last week to nearly one million ACLJ supporters, we highlighted Supreme Court precedent that protects the rights of students to meet, pray and express their religious beliefs.  The email message that highlighted the informational letter encouraged ACLJ supporters to share the information with school officials.  Please feel free to share this bulletin with local school administrators - including principals, board members, and teachers - to advise them on the current state of the law, the email reads.  It is imperative that local school officials be informed in order to avoid violating the First Amendment rights of students and others.