Both sides in suit citing the First Amendment

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 18, 2004 | by Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS -- Both sides in a federal lawsuit over prayers to open school board meetings are citing First Amendment rights in arguing their stands.

In the case before U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan, the American Civil Liberties Union represents a parent who contends that prayers at Tangipahoa Parish School Board meetings violate constitutional separation of church and state under the First Amendment. The ACLU also complains about such practices as allowing religious music during meetings.

But school board members contend free-speech rights allow them to have the public prayers. They also note that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of legislatures and other "deliberative bodies" to allow such prayers.

Prayer is a tradition at most public meetings of school boards and other governmental bodies, said Bob Hammonds, attorney for the Louisiana School Boards Association.