FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2022
CONTACT
Jonny Levenfeld, West End Strategy Team
jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com; 202-704-4535
Interfaith Alliance Urges Supreme Court to Protect Religious Freedom Rights of Students
WASHINGTON–As oral arguments begin today for Kennedy v. Bremerton, religious freedom advocates are urging the Supreme Court to uphold decades of settled law that protects the religious freedom rights of students. Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, released the following statement:
“The freedom to believe as we choose is a core American value and at the heart of our democracy. But as the Supreme Court considers oral arguments for Kennedy v. Bremerton today, we face the prospect of a radical reinterpretation of the proper role of religion in public schools, with the fate of students’ religious freedom rights hanging in the balance.
“Given his position of authority, Mr. Kennedy violated the First Amendment rights of his students by pushing them to participate in prayer on the football field. In effect, Mr. Kennedy was making students choose between their religious freedom and being part of the team – an agonizing decision that no student should ever be forced to confront.
“The Religious Right is seeking to use this case as a vehicle to overturn decades of precedent that protects public schools, as government-run institutions, from school-sponsored prayer and explicit state endorsement of religion. This effort to chip away at the constitutional rights of students and the pillars of our democratic system cannot stand. Interfaith Alliance urges the court to protect the religious freedom rights of students – and all of us.”
Earlier this month, Interfaith Alliance filed an amicus brief in support of Bremerton School District alongside a broad-based coalition of religious organizations.
If you are interested in speaking further with Interfaith Alliance, please contact Jonny Levenfeld at (202) 704-4535 or jlevenfeld@westendstrategy.com.
Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.