Minute of Silence Upheld

[Will Esser]

"RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A new state law requiring public
school students to observe a minute of silence does
not violate the U.S. Constitution, a federal judge
ruled Monday.

Judge Claude M. Hilton of Alexandria rejected the
American Civil Liberties Union's claim that the law is
an unconstitutional attempt to reintroduce prayer in
public schools."

The rest of the story is available at
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/l/0000/10-30-2000/20001030175242270.html

The law only requires that students observe "one
minute of silence for meditation, reflection, prayer
or any other silent activity" at the beginning of the
work day.  It seems to me that a law like this might
have very good secular reasons, i.e. calm down a bunch
of rowdy kids who have just gotten off the buses,
thereby making the teacher's job somewhat easier.

Will

=====
Will Esser  --- Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
Three First Union Center
401 South Tryon St., Suite 3000
Charlotte NC 28202
704-372-9000

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