Group Demands Schools End Use of Church For Graduation Ceremonies

Americans United yesterday issued a release announcing that they have written three Wisconsin public school districts and a community college demanding that they stop holding their graduation ceremonies at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Graduation speakers at the church stand under a 30-foot cross which church officials refuse to cover for the ceremonies. At past graduations the Church has also displayed banners with religious messages and church personnel have distributed religious pamphlets to graduates and their families. The letters sent to each school assert that the use of the Church under these circumstances violates the Establishment Clause. The AU release links to the full text of the letters sent to each school.