On The Front Lines

Rutherford Institute Co-Sponsors Free Legal Symposium on Constitutionally Protected Religious Speech in Public Schools

October 20, 2003

BRIDGEWATER, Va. -- On Monday, November 10, at 7:00 pm, EST, The Rutherford Institute will co-sponsor with Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver, P.L.C., and The Valley Family Forum a free legal symposium for educators entitled "Tomorrow's Citizens and the First Amendment." The event will be hosted by Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Va., as a public service to educators, education policy makers, civic leaders, citizens and students. The event is open to teachers, administrators, students, and the general public.

In an effort to help public schools comply with the U.S. Department of Education's "Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools," the legal symposium will feature constitutional and education law experts from The Rutherford Institute and the law firm of Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver, P.L.C., who will guide educators through the relevant legal principles and case law. Included among the topics to be addressed are student and teacher speech in general, student speech at assemblies and graduation ceremonies, and speech and literature distribution to students by community groups. The program will also include a segment on the federal Equal Access Act.

Founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute is a civil liberties organization that provides free legal services to people whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated. The Institute has emerged as one of the nation's leading advocates of civil liberties and human rights, litigating in the courts and educating the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States and around the world.

For more information on attending the free symposium, contact The Rutherford Institute at (434) 978-3888.

Press Contact

Nisha N. Mohammed
Ph: (434) 978-3888, ext. 604; Pager: 800-946-4646, Pin #: 1478257
Email: Nisha N. Mohammed