Officials at a school district in New York have retreated in their campaign to tear down the posters put up by a Christian student club letting others know about meetings and events.
The confirmation comes from the American Center for Law and Justice, which sent a demand letter to officials at Carmel Central School District in New York when the fight erupted.
The letter was sent on behalf of Jenna, a “brave ninth-grade student,” when school officials “tore down her Christian club’s Bible verse posters and banned the use of ‘Good News’ from the Bible club’s name,” the legal team has reported.
The response to the letter now is a “major win,” the team said.
“The district has now walked back its actions. In a written response, the school district has confirmed that Jenna’s club can change the club’s name to whatever it wants, the school has no objection to posters citing Bible verses or containing a cross, and Jenna has the same rights as any other student to share her faith on campus,” the ACLJ reported.
The demand letter explained to the school how it was in “direct violation of the Equal Access Act and the First Amendment.”
“Schools may not censor religious viewpoints while allowing secular student groups full freedom. In fact, federal law is clear that once a school opens a limited public forum for student expression – such as clubs – it must treat all clubs equally, regardless of their religious content. In fact, the ACLJ argued and won a similar case before the U.S. Supreme Court in Board of Education v. Mergens 35 years ago,” the team explained.
The district, on getting the notification, “reversed course and has agreed to comply with the law.”
School officials wrote, “The school district simply has no objection to Alpha Omega Club notices that cite to the Bible or contain a cross, or to [Jenna’s] religious speech on school grounds.”
The student was trying to relaunch a Christian student organization at Carmel High School, after being previously denied permission.
“She followed every procedure required. Her group was initially called the ‘Good News Club’ and sought to meet after school for faith-based discussion, encouragement, and learning. But when she posted campus-wide flyers listing encouraging Bible verses and inviting students to join, the school took them down and told her the club’s name had to be changed. They said the posters had ‘too many Bible verses.’ Jenna was told to rename the group ‘Alpha Omega Club’ and to submit all religious content for administrative review.”
The ACLJ said that the school also confirms that the club is officially recognized and has every right to post flyers and hold meetings like any other student organization.”
WND reported when the dispute flared that the school had even banned an entire video series planned by the club, torn posters down a second time, demanded to review and approve – or not – promotions, based on “whether they were too religious.”
“School officials took over and started running the club, insisting on what religious materials were and were not acceptable,” the ACLJ reported. “This is viewpoint discrimination in its purest form – and it’s unlawful.”
School rips down Christian student’s posters, orders her to give up ‘Good News’ club name
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Author: Bob Unruh
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