For Immediate Release Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org Monica Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 120, mmiller@americanhumanist.org (Roselle Park, NJ, Sept. 27, 2016)—Today the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of local citizens challenging an unconstitutional display featuring a Christian cross in front of a public library in Roselle Park, New Jersey. The complaint is filed against the Borough of Roselle Park and Mayor Carl Hokanson, who had the cross display installed by Department of Public Works employees. The display prominently features a Christian cross silhouette with a soldier kneeling in
For Immediate Release Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org Monica Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 120, mmiller@americanhumanist.org (Ocala, Fla., Sept. 20, 2016)—The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center requests summary judgment in its lawsuit, filed on behalf of local citizens, challenging the City of Ocala, Fla., and its police department for unconstitutionally promoting Christianity via a prayer vigil where uniformed police personnel led and participated in religious activities with the approval of the mayor and police chief. The prayer vigil, which was held in September 2014, was promoted through a letter on police depart
For Immediate Release Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org David Niose, 202-238-9088 ext. 120, dniose@americanhumanist.org (Naples, Fla., Sept. 16, 2016)—The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center condemns the policy of Lely High School in Naples, Fla., which forces students to stand for the National Anthem at all school-sponsored sporting events. According to WINK News earlier this week, Principal Ryan Nemeth announced that students who did not rise during the National Anthem would be removed from the stadium and their ticket prices would not be refunded. Today the American Humanist Association, Legal Director David Nios
For Immediate Release Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org David Niose, 202-238-9088 ext. 119, dniose@americanhumanist.org (Blue Island, Ill., Sept. 8, 2016)—The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center is pleased that a suburban Chicago school district has assured that a student at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Ill., may remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. On Tuesday, the American Humanist Association objected to the treatment of the student, Shemar Cooper, who was admonished by both a teacher and administrator for sitting during the school’s Pledge recitation. Despite his mother’s concerns, e
For Immediate Release Contact: Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org David Niose, 202-238-9088 ext. 119, dniose@americanhumanist.org (Blue Island, IL, Sept. 6, 2016)—The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center defends the right of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School student Shemar Cooper in Blue Island, Ill., to remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. Cooper’s mother contacted the American Humanist Association after her son was twice instructed to stand during the Pledge exercise by a teacher, Ms. Alfano. After the first incident, the student’s mother informed the teacher that students could not be required to participate in the
