Students Plan to “See You at the Pole"- Hoping They Won’t See School Administrators There

ACLJ Works to Protect the Rights of Students to Express Their Faith at School

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2007—As students around the country gather for local "See You at the Pole"events, the nation's top conservative public interest law firm is taking action to prevent undue interference from misinformed school administrators. The event, scheduled for Sept. 26, is an annual event where students come together to pray-often around their schools' flagpoles.

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. The ACLJ letter - posted online at www.aclj.org - focuses on the upcoming "See You at the Pole"

"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," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "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 the informational letter to supporters, the ACLJ reviews Supreme Court precedent that protects the rights of students to meet, pray and express their religious beliefs. An email message is also being sent to highlight the informational letter and encourage 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."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and frequently represents students whose constitutional rights are violated in public schools. The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C. and is online at www.aclj.org.
 

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