Louisiana ACLU Accuses Local School of Pushing Religion
The Louisiana ACLU has sent an open letter to Bossier Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen regarding Airline High School.
The group accuses the school and its principal, Jason Rowland, of "engaging in a pattern of religious proselytization," meaning they're pushing religious beliefs on the school system. The ACLU demands that the school system take immediate action to remove all references to religion throughout the district.
State Representative Mike Johnson told KEEL News the situation stemmed from actions by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"The FCA came up with this idea to put out prayer request boxes around the school in the areas that are designated for student club displays," Johnson said. "So there's absolutely nothing unlawful or inappropriate about that at all, but the ACLU got offended by it."
Johnson said Principal Rowland also signed off on an email by saying, "May God bless you all." Johnson's organization Freedom Guard has offered to represent the school district free of charge should the ACLU make good on any of its threats.
Bossier Parish Schools has released a statement about the ACLU's letter:
"Superintendent Machen has received a demand from the ACLU, as well as the attached letter from Mike Johnson of Freedom Guard. Both letters have been referred to the Board's legal counsel for review.
As a public body, the Bossier Parish School Board is limited to taking official action at duly-convened meetings of the Board. As the subject letter was just received, it has been placed on the agenda of the Board's October 1, 2015 School Noard meeting. Further comment will result from any action at that meeting.
In the meantime, please understand that the Bossier Parish School System enjoys an established record of achievement. Such success is due in large part to the fact that, as in this case, the system respects both the law and the religious beliefs of all its students and employees. "
U.S. Senator David Vitter's office has also sent out a news release saying Vitter stands behind Airline High School in defense of its First Amendment right to freely practice one's religion:
“I think it’s vital that we stand up and fight back against these attempts to trample on Louisianians’ right to freedom of religion. It’s quite clear that the ACLU fails to recognize that students have the right to pray in school as long as their praying does not interfere with the school’s teaching mission or with the rights of their fellow students. And trying to keep a principal from saying ‘God Bless’ is just ridiculous,” said Vitter.
“The ACLU should instead devote its resources to combating the liberty-destroying mandates being issued by the Obama Administration. The students and parents at Airline High School in Bossier City have my full and complete support in their fight for freedom.”
On Saturday, October 3, at 8:00 a.m., Vitter is scheduled to join parents at a silent prayer rally in the northeast parking lot of Airline High School.