Liberty Counsel Offers Pro Bono Defense for Mississippi Student Religious Liberties Act

Jackson, MS – When Gov. Bryan signed the Mississippi Student Religious Liberties Act of 2013, Liberty Counsel pledged pro-bono legal support for school districts who are facing threats from freedom-restricting, atheist groups.

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“The Mississippi legislature and governor are heroes. Courageously, they are standing against religious intolerance and championing students’ rights to freely express their faith,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. The Student Religious Liberties Act codifies voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints in public school and class assignments. It allows students to organize religious clubs and activities and allows a limited public forum for student-initiated, religious expression at events, including graduation. “The Act is within the bounds of the First Amendment,” said Steve Crampton, General Counsel of Liberty Counsel. “On the one hand, it clarifies and explains the freedom of students to exercise their free speech, free press, and free assembly rights. On the other hand, it protects schools from baseless charges of violating the Establishment Clause and clarifies when a limited public forum for the exercise of private speech exists,” Crampton said. “The Student Religious Liberties Act helps school officials and students by explaining where the boundaries are in an otherwise confusing area of the law.” Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

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