(Washington, DC, Thursday, April 21, 2022) – On April 25, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Joe Kennedy, a former public high school assistant football coach who refused to stop holding public prayers at the 50-yard line with his players after games.
The legal battle, which began in Bremerton, Washington, is significant because it will decide if there remains a separation of church and state or if this new conservative Supreme Court is going to toss it out and allow adults in school to pressure students into participating in their prayers.
The case tackles two key questions: whether the prayers public school employees say in front of students are protected by their First Amendment rights, and, if they are, whether educational officials should prohibit them to avoid promoting particular religions and violating the Establishment Clause.
About Rachel Laser
Rachel Laser is the President and CEO at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Rachel is a lawyer, advocate, and strategist who has dedicated her career to making our country more inclusive. As a religious minority – she was raised as a Reform Jew – she understands how much it matters that our laws treat everyone fairly and equally. Rachel has a proven record of uniting both faith and secular leaders and advocacy organizations to address some of the most important issues of our time.