ACLU Sues to Stop Graduation Prayer in Clarion County District

JOE MANDAK

Associated Press


PITTSBURGH - The American Civil Liberties Union sued in federal court Thursday
to prevent prayer at a high school graduation ceremony Saturday, and a judge
signed a negotiated agreement upholding the ban.

The Keystone School District's school board and solicitor had agreed to the
prayer ban on Monday, but the ACLU sued because some in the Clarion County
community were hoping school officials would allow prayer anyway, said Witold
"Vic" Walczak, legal director of the group's Pittsburgh chapter.

"When public schools reserve time at a graduation ceremony for prayers, they
violate the Constitution by putting the power, prestige and endorsement of the
state behind whatever prayer is offered," Walczak said.