The Arizona Republic

The Arizona Republic

The Alliance Defense Fund is suing the Deer Valley Unified School District for not allowing a Christian student group to use the school’s PA system.

Mountain Ridge High School’s Common Cause Club wanted to invite students to a prayer meeting after school.

The organization said school officials prohibited the announcement because students wanted to say “prayer,” the ADF said.

A student representing the organization wanted to make an announcement Jan. 14 publicizing the group’s weekly prayer meeting. The prayer takes place at the school flagpole before school.

The following day, the assistant principal told the student she couldn’t make the announcement. When the student asked for her announcement back, the ADF said the assistant principal ripped it up in front of her before throwing it away.

The Fund said the club was treated unfairly because of its religious beliefs.

A Deer Valley spokesperson said district officials are not commenting on the lawsuit.

“I don’t believe we’re commenting on it. It’s been forwarded to our lawyers,” said Diane Drumwright, a district spokesperson. “Since our lawyers have it, we’re letting them handle it.”

The district’s lawyers don’t usually talk to the press about issues like this while in process, Drumwright said.

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