School District Sued For Refusing Student Group's Announcement of Prayer Meeting

Alliance Defense Fund announced yesterday the filing earlier this week of a lawsuit against the Deer Valley (AZ) Unified School District. The suit, brought on behalf of a high school student challenges the refusal by officials of Mountain Ridge High School to accept written and video annoucements by a student group, Common Cause, of one of its upcoming activities. The group wished to announce its before-school prayer gathering. Even though student groups generally are permitted to have such announcements broadcast to the student body, the school policy precludes announcements that use the word "prayer", out of concern over violating required separation of church and state. Common Cause could have the date, time and location of its meetings announced, but not the fact that religious activities will take place. In its complaint (full text) filed in Arizona federal district court, plaintiff alleged this refusal violates the federal Equal Access Act, the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and Arizona's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.