News Release
For Immediate Release: 10.2.25
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Christian Student Who Was Kicked Out of Online Public School’s “Social Time” Invited Back to Share His Faith
School officials agree to train their staff on religious liberty and to support students’ free speech and free exercise rights in the future.
Hot Springs, AR—Today, First Liberty Institute and Cox, Sterling, Vandiver, & Botteicher, PLLC, announced that Zion Ramos, who was previously muted and kicked off a “social time” Zoom meeting when he began sharing his faith with other students, has been invited back and guaranteed three minutes to share his faith.
“We are grateful that school officials acknowledge how concerning this situation was for Zion and his family, and that federal and state law protect students’ religious expression during social gatherings,” said Kayla Toney, Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Zion looks forward to sharing his faith during a future social time.”
“I’m glad the school agreed to do the right thing,” said Zion Ramos. “Freedom of speech isn’t just a right, it’s the foundation of our liberty. Christians must stand up, speak out, and defend our right to share what we believe.”
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed interest in the situation and instructed the Arkansas Department of Education to open an investigation into the matter.
Three hours later, ARCA officials responded to the demand letter stating, “ARCA’s administration is dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to express their viewpoint in a respectful environment.” ARCA agreed to all three of First Liberty’s requests, allowing Zion to share his faith during a future social time, promising that “[s]chool officials will support the free speech and free exercise rights of students, including Mr. Ramos, in the future,” and agreeing to complete religious liberty training through the RESPECT Project.
Zion Ramos attends an online public school in Arkansas. Every day, they have a “social time” Zoom meeting where students talk about whatever they want, as long as the comments are not violent, vulgar, or obscene. On a call in September, inspired by the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, Zion decided to share his faith in a two-minute statement. Soon after he mentioned the word “eternity,” the teacher muted him and then removed him from the Zoom meeting as he continued to speak. A few minutes later, she shut down the entire Zoom meeting.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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