“It’s deeply wrong for any coach to put high school students in the position of turning their backs on the team family if they don’t want to join the coach’s very public prayers on the 50-yard line after games.”
~ Chris Kluwe, retired NFL player

AU Supporter,

Chris Kluwe played in the NFL for eight years as a punter for the Minnesota Vikings; he now coaches high school football. When he learned former Bremerton School District football coach Joseph Kennedy pressured players to join his public prayers at the 50-yard line at public high school football games, Kluwe immediately recognized that the prayers violated students’ religious freedom.

That’s why Kluwe is among the broad and diverse coalition of organizations and individuals who filed friend-of-the-court briefs today in support of the school district and church-state separation in AU’s Supreme Court case, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.

Add your voice to this large coalition of church-state separation advocates!
Sign this open letter in support of students’ religious freedom.

The wide spectrum of groups and individuals represented in these briefs reflects how important this issue is to so many: Experts in public education, First Amendment law, and student psychology. Professional and college athletes. National religious and secular organizations. Members of the Bremerton community, including faith leaders and parents. Members of Congress and groups representing local governments and government officials. Civil rights advocates.

They’ve sent a powerful message that the majority of Americans are on the students’ side. Please join them—sign this open letter now!

In less than a month, Americans United Vice President and Legal Director Richard B. Katskee will argue before the Supreme Court on behalf of the school district. We’re on very dangerous ground with the justices considering overturning decades of established law that prevents government employees from pressuring students to pray in public schools.

That’s why it’s critical that the justices hear from our many allies and supporters now.
Sign our open letter today!

Thank you for speaking out in support of church-state separation—a core principle of our democracy.

With hope and determination,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO