Law Center Ensures Right Of Third-Grade Student To Read Bible In Public School
ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has received the written assurance from Elementary School District 159, which is outside of Chicago, Illinois, that its client, Rhajheem Haymon, a third-grade student, will be permitted to read his Bible in school.
After being contacted by Leslie Haymon, Rhajheem’s father, and being informed that school officials had denied Rhajheem the right to read his Bible during “reading time,” a time during the day when students may read a book of their choosing, Edward L. White III, trial counsel with the Thomas More Law Center, immediately sent school officials a demand letter on the Haymon’s behalves.
In the letter, White informed school officials that the United States Supreme Court and the United States Department of Education have assured that students are free to express their religious views while at school, a freedom that includes a student’s choice to read religious materials. He explained that a public school may not suppress or exclude the speech or expression of individual students for the sole reason that the speech is religious or contains a religious perspective. Soon after receiving the letter, the school district sent written assurance that Rhajheem could bring his Bible to school and read it at the appropriate times during the school day.
Leslie Haymon stated: “I thank the Thomas More Law Center for the assistance given to me and my family. I thank them for protecting our rights as Christians and as Americans. I thank God for the work of the Thomas More Law Center.”
Assisting the Thomas More Law Center in this matter was Kevin Edward White, an attorney in Chicago.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.
After being contacted by Leslie Haymon, Rhajheem’s father, and being informed that school officials had denied Rhajheem the right to read his Bible during “reading time,” a time during the day when students may read a book of their choosing, Edward L. White III, trial counsel with the Thomas More Law Center, immediately sent school officials a demand letter on the Haymon’s behalves.
In the letter, White informed school officials that the United States Supreme Court and the United States Department of Education have assured that students are free to express their religious views while at school, a freedom that includes a student’s choice to read religious materials. He explained that a public school may not suppress or exclude the speech or expression of individual students for the sole reason that the speech is religious or contains a religious perspective. Soon after receiving the letter, the school district sent written assurance that Rhajheem could bring his Bible to school and read it at the appropriate times during the school day.
Leslie Haymon stated: “I thank the Thomas More Law Center for the assistance given to me and my family. I thank them for protecting our rights as Christians and as Americans. I thank God for the work of the Thomas More Law Center.”
Assisting the Thomas More Law Center in this matter was Kevin Edward White, an attorney in Chicago.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.
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