ACLU Threatens Lawsuit if Colorado School doesn't Censor Christmas - 26 Nov 2003
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...The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is threatening to sue a Colorado public school if the principal refuses to censor Christmas for students. Recently, the ACLU, along with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), sent a letter to Les Gray, principal of the Elbert County Charter School in Elizabeth, Colorado saying Jewish students do not feel safe at the school. The letter demanded the school ban all references to Christmas in the school's annual holiday program -- including secular songs such as Jingle Bells. Barry Arrington is an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund representing the school. He says the demands are outrageous. "No court anywhere," Arrington says, "has ever said that you have to completely extirpate ['to destroy totally; exterminate' --American Heritage Dictionary] Christmas from Christmas. No court has said that you can't use the word 'Christmas' and call it a 'Christmas program.' No court has said that you can't use or sing religiously-themed traditional songs as part of an overall cultural celebration." Arrington does not expect the ACLU or the ADL to follow through with a lawsuit because, in this case, this school principal will not give into intimidation. [Allie Martin] |