In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of former high school football coach Joe Kennedy to take a knee in quiet prayer after football games. Importantly, today’s decision respects the Constitutional rights of all public-school teachers and coaches to engage in a brief, personal prayer in public.
On Monday June 27th, the U.S. Supreme Court gave summary judgement and a victory in the case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. First Liberty has fought for Coach Kennedy through an almost seven-year legal battle and the Court protected the right of Coach to live out his faith, including praying in public, without the fear of punishment.
Attorneys for First Liberty Institute and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, led by veteran Supreme Court advocate Paul Clement, represented Joe Kennedy in his fight to live out his faith. Kennedy, a former high school football coach, asked the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court decision that allowed a school district to fire him because fans and students could see him take a knee in quiet, personal prayer after football games.
Now, because of this victory, many Americans no longer have to choose between their faith and the job they love!
Use the links below for more information about the legal aspects of the Coach Kennedy case.
If your freedom is threatened at school,
our protection kit explains what the
law says and how to protect your right
to express and live out your faith in the
schoolhouse gates.
Want to hear the story behind Coach Joe’s case? Watch our First Liberty Live! episodes featuring Joe Kennedy as he explains why this case is crucial to the future of religious liberty in America
First Liberty has been protecting and defending freedom for all Americans who have had their voice slienced or their faith shut down. Learn more about Coach Kennedy and how we defend everyday Americans so they can live out their faith.
Want to know more about Coach Joe and his incredible story? Read our story page explaining his time in the military and why His case could be the one to overturn a bad legal decision that’s been used to erode the Constitution and religious liberty for 30 years.
