2nd Michigan School Cancels Christ from Graduation Speech
John Glenn High School principal tells high school valedictorian to remove Christian faith from senior honors night address
How many more graduations have to be ruined before school officials learn that the First Amendment guards student remarks at graduation? The Constitution protects students from having their religious viewpoint cancelled during a graduation speech. We urge Wayne-Westland Community school officials to follow the law and allow student religious speech at graduation related events. — Stephanie Taub, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute
Last week, Hillsdale High School attempted to prevent Elizabeth Turner from referencing her faith in her valedictory speech. This week, the principal at John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan is preventing graduating senior, Savannah Lefler, from speaking about her own faith.
In response, First Liberty Institute has sent a letter to the principal at John Glenn High School demanding that he allow a graduating senior, Savannah Lefler, to speak about her faith in her senior honors night remarks. Censoring Savannah’s private speech because of its religious viewpoint is a direct violation of the First Amendment.
Be assured, First Liberty will not stand by while any student’s religious rights are challenged by would-be authoritarians in our nation’s schools. We will continue to lead the fight for these students—and with your support, we will continue winning.