School Prayer Challenged In Missouri Law Suit

Last month, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri filed a federal lawsuit against the Doniphan School District in southeast Missouri, alleging that during two honors assemblies at Doniphan Elementary School, teachers led the students in sectarian Christian prayer. The complaint alleges that sectarian prayer at these assemblies, where student attendance was mandatory, violated the Establishment Clause. The suit was filed after attempts to obtain informal resolution of the issue failed. The suit is discussed in an ACLU press release and in a story by Agape Press. The full text of the complaint in Doe v. Doniphan R-I School District is available online as is the ACLU's July 25 Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction.