Number: 98-523
Title: The Alabama School Prayer Case: Chandler v. Siegelman
Authors: David M. Ackerman, American Law Division 
Abstract: In Chandler v. James, a federal district court in Alabama held a statute authorizing "non-sectarian, non-proselytizing, student-initiated voluntary prayer" at all public school events to violate the establishment of religion clause of the First Amendment. Subsequently, an injunction was issued barring the enforcement of the statute and enjoining school officials from fostering and engaging in a variety of evangelical activities in the schools. That decision and injunction have become the subject of intense political controversy in Alabama and elsewhere. The decision was been appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Governor of Alabama has filed a petition in the U.S. Supreme Court asking for a writ of mandamus to dismiss the case and to vacate the injunction. But on July 13, 1999, the appellate court affirmed this part of the district court's judgment, the Eleventh Circuit agreeing that the injunction's prohibition barring school officials from permitting any vocal prayer or devotional speech in its schools violated the free speech and free exercise of religion rights of the students.
Pages: 6
Date: June 25, 2001