Dallas County Schools in Selma, Ala., took action to end prayers over the loudspeaker before football games after hearing from FFRF.
FFRF sent the district a letter on Sept. 30. “The Supreme Court has specifically struck down invocations given over the loudspeaker at public school athletic events, even when student-led,” wrote Staff Attorney Sam Grover, citing the 2000 case, Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe. “Like the prayer practices in Santa Fe, the prayers at Dallas County High School football games are also inappropriate and unconstitutional.”
Christmas Y. Green-Williams, Dallas County Schools attorney, wrote a response on Nov. 17, noting that the school had updated its policies to reflect the state of the law. “We appreciate any individual or organization that makes us aware of an alleged violation” of the law, Green-Williams said.
