Millions of Students Gather to Pray: Annual See You At The Pole Gathering
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Before the opening bell tomorrow morning, Wednesday, September 26, millions of students from across the country will gather at their school’s flagpole to pray for their nation, their towns and cities, and their schools at the annual See You At The Pole prayer gathering. The First Amendment guarantees students the right to pray on school grounds. During any noninstructional time—before or after school, in between classes, during the lunch hour, or on the playing field—students may express their opinions verbally or in writing. Prayer is a form of speech, and therefore during noninstructional time, students have the constitutional right to pray individually or in groups. School officials have an affirmative duty to educate themselves regarding the First Amendment rights of students, rather than acting out of bigotry, religious bias, or ignorance of the law. Liberty Counsel’s website has more information at See You At The Pole Gatherings and Other Student-Initiated Prayer on Public School Campuses. “Liberty Counsel will provide education and, if necessary, legal representation to make sure that youth all over America will be able to gather at the annual See You At The Pole event,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. If students, parents, teachers, or school administrators have questions or experience trouble about student-initiated prayer in public school, they should contact Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. “Revival preceded the American Revolution,” said Mat Staver. “America was birthed in prayer. America will be sustained in prayer.” Students and teachers on public school campuses do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or freedom of religion when they enter the schoolhouse gate. For more information, visit Liberty Counsel’s Resources for Education and Schools. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. |
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