Parents in Wilson County allowed to intervene against ACLU legal assault on free speech

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal district court magistrate judge has granted a motion filed by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of four parents seeking to stop an ACLU lawsuit that would silence the expression of religious faith in Wilson County public schools.

“Christians are not second-class citizens and should not be treated as such,” said ADF Senior Counsel Nate Kellum.  “But that’s exactly what the ACLU’s lawsuit seeks to do.  They want to silence all forms of public religious expression even when it’s part of celebrating our nation’s rich and diverse religious history and heritage.”

The American Civil Liberties Union had filed a federal lawsuit against the Wilson County School System, complaining that the school’s celebration of religious holidays and the existence of a volunteer “Praying Parents” group violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  

“As long as the ACLU continues its campaign of fear, intimidation, and disinformation against our First Liberty, religious freedom, ADF will defend the constitutional rights of those who come under attack,” said Kellum.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.