A small Nebraska school district will continue its tradition of a student-led prayer during graduation despite pressure from ACLU Nebraska to end the practice.
The parent committee organizing next Sunday's ceremony told the
Columbus Telegram that Lakeview High School's graduating seniors have requested the prayer be included in the program.
The ACLU sent a letter to the 685-student school district in
November complaining the prayers at graduation ceremonies violated
students' First Amendment right to religious freedom.
The Columbus-based district's graduation ceremonies have been
officially parent-run and voluntary since a 2001 ACLU complaint
about the prayers. The district has tried to remedy the latest
complaint by further separating the graduation ceremony from the
school.
ACLU Nebraska legal director Amy Miller said the changes aren't
enough.
