(See previous post here for more details.)
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Interesting piece of trivia: Judge Ronald Lagueux was appointed to the bench by that liberal activist…. Ronald Reagan.
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Jessica Ahlquist has been added to the list of Reason Rally speakers!
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Jessica spoke about the ruling this morning:
“When [Rhode Island ACLU executive director] Steven Brown called me last night to give me the good news, I cried with happiness and relief. I’m so glad and proud that the right decision was made and the constitution was upheld. I am thankful for all that the ACLU and attorneys Lynette Labinger, Thomas Bender and my supportive friends and family have done to help with this case. I am hopeful that this case can be looked back on in the future and encourage others to stand up for their rights as well. It has been a very long and difficult year and a half for me, but it was absolutely worth it.”
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“I’m so glad that the right decision was made and that the Constitution was upheld,” Ahlquist said.
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“It’s not something that belongs in a school. When I saw it there, I knew it didn’t belong and when I saw it there I knew my school was doing the wrong thing and that my school was not supporting my views,” Ahlquist said.
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“I’ve had some difficult experiences there. I don’t know how West is for me now,” Ahlquist said.
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“Even if kids in school hate you, even if there are nasty comments on the Internet, it’s important to stand up for what you believe in,” Ahlquist said.
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The scholarship drive for Jessica is going well, but please continue to spread word about it!
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Several groups have issued press releases or statements in support of Jessica.
“Jessica’s victory today is a wakeup call to the nation that secular students will not be ignored or mistreated,” said Jesse Galef, spokesman for the Secular Student Alliance. “More and more young Americans are identifying as secular, and we’re starting to stand up for our rights. Jessica’s example is inspiring others speak out.”
Other secular high school students have cited Ahlquist as the reason they became activists. In recognition of her influence and importance, the SSA awarded her the Best Individual High School Activist prize in 2011. The award was created last year as part of a new program to offer support to the growing number of secular high school students.
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“It took courage for Jessica to stand up for the rights of nonreligious Americans in the face of opposition,” said Galef. “But as she inspires more secular students to stand up, the stigma will wash away. We’re witnessing another domino falling as our demographic gains prominence.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation:
“We warmly congratulate Jessica for standing up for our Constitution. This is a lawsuit that should not even have been necessary. What Jessica endured in order to bring an end to this obvious First Amendment violation shows how essential it is to keep religion out of our public schools, where it creates only mischief and divisiveness,” said FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor.
The American Humanist Association:
“We are so proud of Jessica for fighting to protect church-state separation,” said American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt. “She recognized injustice, stood up for what is right, and persevered in the face of harassment. She fought for the rights of nonbelievers and religious minorities and is an example for everyone.”
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“Today’s ruling by the District Court again confirms something that by now should be crystal clear to government officials: school-sponsored prayer has no place on the walls of a public school,” said Bill Burgess, attorney and legal coordinator of the American Humanist Association’s legal arm, the Appignani Humanist Legal Center. “The court clearly noted that the prayer mural’s long-standing nature, considered a school tradition by some, did not overcome its unconstitutional nature and justify its continued presence.”
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Rob Boston of Americans United:
In a 40-page slam dunk, Lagueux first dismissed school officials’ claims that Ahlquist had no right to challenge the banner. He then went on to explain why this official school prayer, which has been hanging in the gym since 1963, is patently unconstitutional.
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Near the end of his opinion, Lagueux called Ahlquist “clearly an articulate and courageous young woman, who took a brave stand, particularly in light of the hostile response she has received from her community.”
He’s right about that. At 16, Ahlquist had the guts to stand up to a howling mob and prevail. She deserves our support.
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I’ll post more updates as they come in.
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