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Dear John,
Evidently, school officials in Grand Island, New York think that referencing the name of God, scripture, and displaying a cross are offensive.
At least that’s what their words and actions say.
Let me explain.
Sabrina Steffans will be a senior this Fall at Grand Island High School, and one of the perks of being a senior is the opportunity to express your creativity through your parking space.
For a fee, seniors can reserve and decorate their parking space. It is Grand Island’s hope that students will “express themselves through positive artwork, to beautify campus, to build school spirit, and to create an exciting tradition.”
The only guidelines for what is not allowed is “offensive language, pictures or symbols, negative or rude language, and gang-style tagging.”
Sabrina wanted her parking space design to be an expression of her Christian faith. Her initial design included a drawing of Salvation Mountain, the phrases “God is love” and "He loves you,” a cross, and the Bible verse John 14:6.
The school rejected her first design and two revisions, stating that any messages inside the parking space are considered “government speech”, not personal speech.
The Supreme Court in our precedent-setting victory for Coach Joe Kennedy made it clear that teachers and students are free to express their faith without the threat of being censored or punished.
Grand Island’s actions completely contradict the Kennedy decision.
That’s why we are fighting with Sabrina for her right to express her faith.
Today, we sent a demand letter to Grand Island High School explaining that they are wrong to censor Sabrina’s design. The Constitution protects private, religious speech even when it occurs on public school property.
Grand Island’s response will determine what happens next.
Stand with Sabrina and First Liberty
Say No to Religious Discrimination
With your help, First Liberty has won many important victories at the U.S. Supreme Court. Decades of bad precedent are gone, and Americans now have the opportunity to experience more religious freedom than they’ve had in the last 50 years.
Unfortunately, Sabrina’s case is proof that there’s still a lot of work to do.
And it’s critical for us to respond to these types of discriminatory attacks immediately.
But to do that, we need you to join us on the frontlines. Otherwise, schools like Grand Island will continue to prevent their teachers and students from expressing their faith.
Will you join us in this fight against religious discrimination?
Together, we can win for faith-filled students like Sabrina and stop schools from censoring their expressions of faith.
Yes, I’ll make a gift today »
Grateful for you,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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