AU Says High School Assemblies Violate Establishment Clause

In a press release yesterday, Americans United announced that it had written the Todd Becker Foundation complaining about the religious nature of programs the organization presents at high school assemblies. (Full text of letter.) While the programs are billed as events that focus on the dangers of drunk driving, AU charges that the programs are based on Bibilical themes and that following the program students individually are given a Bible and invited to accept Jesus. The letter says that under the Establishment Clause these programs are impermissible in public schools and can lead to liability on the part of the Foundation as a willful participant in joint action with the state. The Foundation lists over 100 schools in Nebraska and Kansas where it has presented assemblies.