Liberty Counsel Helps Good News Clubs Gain Access to Announcement Rights

Jun 04, 2004 09:57 PM EDT

With the help of Liberty Counsel, Child Evangelism Fellowship will now be able to have meeting announcements distributed to students for its Good News Clubs, after-school clubs that teach Bible studies, morals and character development, in the Mount Vernon School District in Los Angeles, Ca.

LC felt that the school district was discriminating against the club due to its religious nature and sent in a letter to demand the same right given to non-religious groups in the school.

In a statement released on June 4, LC reported receiving a response letter from the superintendent of the school district agreeing to grant distribution rights to the club.

Last year, LC helped win CEF gain equal access to start the clubs in the district without having to pay fees to use the schools’ facilities. Their argument was based on The United State Supreme Court ruling that the Good News Club could not be banned from schools based on religious viewpoint. That case was Good News Club v. Milford Central School District.

Even though since the law was passed and CEF had started five Good News Club in the Mount Vernon School District.

“Last year, we were successful in gaining equal access for Good News Clubs in over 400 elementary schools in the Los Angeles area," said Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel for Liberty Counsel.

"Equal access means equal treatment," he said. "We will vigorously advocate for Child Evangelism Fellowship until school officials in every district in America stop discriminating against Good News Clubs."

"All children should have the opportunity to learn morals and character development in these clubs,” concluded Staver.