Press Conference Announcing Legal Challenge to "Intelligent Design" Curriculum in PA

[Christopher C. Lund]

           Fresh off the presses...


*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

Press Conference Announcing Legal Challenge to "Intelligent Design" 
Curriculum in PA School District

WHEN:

Tuesday, December 14, 1:00 p.m.

WHAT:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Americans United for 
Separation of Church and State and attorneys with Pepper Hamilton LLP will 
file a federal lawsuit on Tuesday on behalf of 11 parents who say that 
presenting "intelligent design" to students in public school violates the 
religious liberty of parents, students and faculty.

The lawsuit will be the first in the nation to challenge the instruction of 
"intelligent design," which is an assertion that an intelligent, 
supernatural actor has intervened in the history of life. The "intelligent 
design" debate gained national public attention after the Dover Area School 
District Board in Pennsylvania voted in October to require science teachers 
to present this religious view as an alternative to the scientific theory of 
evolution. Dover is believed to be the first school district to mandate such 
a policy.

WHERE:

Pennsylvania State Capitol, East Wing Rotunda
Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg

WHO:

Parents, scientists, clergy members and attorneys who are challenging the 
Dover School District policy.

Attorneys and clients in the lawsuit will not be available for comment 
before the Tuesday press conference.

CONTACT:

Paul Silva, ACLU Nat'l, 212-549-2689 or 2666
Joe Conn, Americans United, 202-466-3234 or 202-365-8507