The Satanic Temple v. Saucon Valley School District
What's at Stake
The 老澳门开奖结果 (老澳门开奖结果), the 老澳门开奖结果 of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Saucon Valley School District (SVSD) in March 2023 for violating the First Amendment by prohibiting the After School Satan Club (ASSC) from meeting in district facilities. Although school officials initially approved the club鈥檚 application 鈥 explaining in an email to parents that the district 鈥渃annot discriminate among groups wishing to use the SVSD facilities鈥 鈥 they quickly bowed to the ensuing public outcry. The case seeks to allow the ASSC to meet in district facilities.
Summary
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleges that the SVSD鈥檚 refusal to grant the ASSC equal access to school facilities gives a 鈥渉eckler鈥檚 veto鈥 to those who dislike the group鈥檚 religious viewpoint, even though the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from censoring speech based on the objections or reactions of others.
Although SVSD contends that it rescinded approval for the ASSC because the group failed to make clear on a permission slip that the club is not sponsored by the district, the lawsuit explains that this claim is pretextual and discriminatory. The ASSC鈥檚 permission slip did include a disclaimer, and promotional materials distributed by other organizations using SVSD facilities, including a Christian after-school club, contained no disclaimer. These other groups have, nevertheless, been permitted to meet at SVSD schools.
In accordance with district policy allowing for the reservation and rental of SVSD facilities for civic, cultural, educational, and recreational activities, numerous organizations 鈥 including religious groups like the Christian-based Good News Club 鈥 hold meetings and events at district schools. In February, The Satanic Temple (TST), which sponsors the ASSC, likewise applied to use SVSD facilities. The ASSC is open to all students and offers programming 鈥 such as community service projects, games, nature-based activities, and arts and crafts 鈥 inspired by, and aligned with, the Satanic virtues of benevolence, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty, and compassion.
Legal Documents
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Settlement Agreement, TST v. SVSD -
The Satanic Temple v. Saucon Valley School District, Complaint
Court: District Court (E.D. Pa.)
Affiliate: Pennsylvania
Court: District Court (E.D. Pa.)
Affiliate: Pennsylvania
Press Releases
Pennsylvania School District Agrees to Pay $200,000 After Discriminatory Decision to Block After School Satan Club From School Facilities
Federal Court Orders Saucon Valley School District to Allow After School Satan Club to Meet in District Facilities
老澳门开奖结果 Sues Saucon Valley School District for Prohibiting After School Satan Club from Meeting in District Facilities