Krestan v. Deer Valley Unified School District

Summary

Erin Krestan was a student leader of the Common Cause Club, a religious student-led club at Mountain Ridge High School. In looking for creative ways to promote their weekly meetings, which include a time of prayer around the flag pole, the Club created a video announcement informing their fellow students about their weekly prayer meetings. Other clubs were routinely permitted to make similar video announcements. But Erin and her Club were prohibited from doing either video or written announcements, thus severely limiting their ability to spread the message about the Club’s activities.

Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, Erin filed a lawsuit against the Deer Valley Unified School District, challenging the discriminatory treatment of her club. The United States District Court in Arizona ruled for Erin, ordering the School District to show the Club’s videos and read its announcements in the same manner as the School District did for other clubs.

What's at stake

The freedom of students to share their religious beliefs at school without fear of censorship or punishment.

Students being told that they can't promote student led religious gatherings or times of prayer.

Students being told that their Christian club will not receive the same treatment as secular clubs. 

Our role in this case

Alliance Defending Freedom represented Erin in the defense of her rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

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