FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2011
CONTACT: Amy Miller, (402) 476-8091, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ACLU Legal Director: Schools Cannot Interfere with Student Religious Expression
Fremont Public Schools Potentially Violated Student’s Religious Rights
LINCOLN - Recent news reports regarding Fremont Public School’s limitation on students wearing a rosary raise serious concerns about children’s religious liberty. ACLU Nebraska strongly opposes this policy on the grounds it violates the First Amendment’s guarantee to practice religion freely.
Amy Miller, ACLU Nebraska Legal Director, said "Students have the right to express their faith in public schools. Whether a student wants to wear a crucifix, a rosary, or another symbol, it is wrong for school officials to interfere. We understand the serious concerns about gangs in schools, but Fremont Public School should demonstrate there is a concrete gang connection before shutting down a student’s free speech and religious rights. ACLU Nebraska has and will continue to support the constitutional rights of religious people.”
A publication on Student’s Rights is available for download from the ACLU Nebraska website. Each year, ACLU Nebraska provides thousands of students with information on their rights through classroom and community presentations. http://www.aclunebraska.org/index.php/student-rights
Parents or students who feel their religious or free speech rights have been violated are encouraged to contact ACLU Nebraska online at www.aclunebraska.org.
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ABOUT: ACLU Nebraska and its diverse membership works in courts, the legislature and our communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States and Nebraska guarantee everyone in this state.
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