School prayer ruling in Alabama

[Timothy Hoff]

> District Judge Ira DeMent issued a permanent injunction against an Alabama
> school district in Chandler v. James yesterday.  This is the case in which
> Gov. James said the 1st Amendment did not apply to Alabama.  In part the
> ruling says the Defendants are enjoined "from aiding, abetting, commanding,
> counseling, inducing, ordering, procuring, or permitting school organized or
> officially sanctioned religious activities in the classrooms of DeKalb County
> schools including, but not limited to: vocal prayer, Bible and religious
> devotional or scripture readings, distribution of religious materials, texts,
> or announcements, ..."etc.
>
> Judge DeMent provides examples of what types of conduct will or will not
> violate the injunction in a 17 page opinion.  It deals with graduation
> exercises (prohibits school officials from requiring attendence at religious
> baccalaureate services as a condition of attendence at commencement, which
> they were doing), use of the P A systems for religious addresses, school
> assemblies and events (including atheletic events), passing out of bibles and
> religious tracts (specifically addreses Gideons forcing bibles on kids on
> school property),  alludes to consequences for harassment of the parties or
> witnesses, and directs that a monitor be appointed to ensure complience.  The
> Defendants had agreed to cease certain conduct at one point in the
> litigation, then did not, and got caught.
>
> For more information, contact me.
>
> Joel L. Sogol
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Joel,

I would very much like to get a copy of Judge DeMent's opinion for
use in my Law and Religion class in the spring.   I would be happy to
pick it up at your office if you would be willing to make me a copy.
Thanks!

-   Tim

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Timothy Hoff
Gordon Rosen Professor of Law                        Phone: 205-348-1121
University of Alabama School of Law                  FAX:   205-348-1142
Box 870382                                                            http://www.law.ua.edu
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0382                                  thoff at law.ua.edu
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