{"id":355689,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/what-types-of-religious-activities-are-allowed-in-public-schools.html"},"modified":"2024-05-13T12:31:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T17:31:00","slug":"what-types-of-religious-activities-are-allowed-in-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/what-types-of-religious-activities-are-allowed-in-public-schools.html","title":{"rendered":"What Types of Religious Activities Are Allowed in Public Schools?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">What Types of Religious Activities Are Allowed in Public Schools?<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/taylar-simone-mccants-j-d\/\">Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aviana-cooper-esq\/\">Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            May 13, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>The separation of church and state is always changing. It&#8217;s difficult to know how the courts will decide on religious matters in schools. Yet,&nbsp;there are some basic rules to guide religious activities in public schools. <\/p>\r\n<p>Unlike private schools or religious schools, public schools must obey the Constitution&#8217;s protections.&nbsp;<span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 0.8125rem;\">School districts must not violate the First Amendment religion clauses: the&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/establishment-clause.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Establishment Clause<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 0.8125rem;\">&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/free-exercise-clause.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Free Exercise Clause<\/a><span style=\"background-color: transparent; font-size: 0.8125rem;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>Understanding the protections for religious beliefs at school is crucial. Controversies in this area often arise from certain situations and actions, causing violations. Examples include<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>School prayer<\/li>\r\n<li>Curriculum issues<\/li>\r\n<li>The use of school facilities by religious organizations<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Read on to learn more about religious activities in public schools.<\/p>\r\n<h2>School Prayer in Public Schools<\/h2>\r\n<p>Students have many different religious beliefs and practices. Public schools must make reasonable religious accommodations for them. This includes allowing students to participate in activities with religious purposes, like prayer.&nbsp;Schools can release students for ritual prayers or religious instruction classes.<\/p>\r\n<p>Students can typically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/student-rights\/school-prayer-and-the-pledge-of-allegiance-constitutionality.html\">pray in school<\/a>, but there are limits. They can&#8217;t interfere with educational activities or disrupt spaces such as:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Classroom instruction<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The cafeteria<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The locker room<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Hallways<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>For example, students can pray in the hallway during a break. But they can&#8217;t kneel in a way that blocks other students&#8217; movement.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Supreme Court has ruled that a school district&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/us-supreme-court\/472\/38.html\" style=\"font-size: 0.8125rem;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">can&#8217;t require students to take a minute of silence<\/a>&nbsp;for religious reasons like prayer.<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>The courts often distinguish between individual prayer and group prayer.&nbsp;They tend to favor individual prayers over group prayers. Group prayers may create a perception of a captive audience, meaning they might pressure students to join.<br>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<h2>Public Graduation Prayers<\/h2>\r\n<p>School officials cannot require or plan optional prayer at graduation.&nbsp;Schools also can&#8217;t plan a religious ceremony like a baccalaureate mass.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Supreme Court struck down a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/us-supreme-court\/505\/577.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">school district&#8217;s policy of inviting clergy<\/a>&nbsp;to lead prayer at graduation.<\/p>\r\n<p>Usually, it doesn\u2019t matter whether a student or the school initiates the prayer. The law doesn\u2019t differ between school-led prayers and student-led prayers. Neither is permissible during graduation ceremonies.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Religious Curriculum Allowed in Public Schools<\/h2>\r\n<p>It is acceptable to teach students about the following religious texts:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>The Bible<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The Quran<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The Torah<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Other sacred texts for history, ethics, or comparative religion<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>A teacher can&#8217;t reference the religious teachings as a singular truth. They can\u2019t portray one religion over another as being superior or a chosen belief.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Religious Clubs in Public School Facilities<\/h2>\r\n<p>Students can create religious groups on their campus. Student-organized religious clubs can meet at school before or after the school day.<\/p>\r\n<p>Many religious organizations instruct secondary school-age children outside of regular school hours. The <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/us\/title-20-education\/20-usc-sect-7905.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Equal Access Act<\/a> requires public school districts to treat these organizations fairly. Policies can&#8217;t exclude religious student groups from using school facilities like nonreligious groups.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Missing School for Religious Activities<\/h2>\r\n<p>Schools can release students for ritual prayers or religious instruction classes. Schools must also&nbsp;recognize and accommodate religious holidays.&nbsp;For example, school officials must give students time off for religious observances.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Free Speech and Religious Liberty at School<\/h2>\r\n<p>Federal law gives students the right to religious expression.&nbsp;For example, students may wear religious head coverings or jewelry.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/federal-religious-freedom-restoration-act-overview.html\">The Religious Freedom Restoration Act<\/a> (1993) limits the government&#8217;s ability to restrict religion.&nbsp;The <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/amendment1\/annotation16.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Free Exercise Clause<\/a> also prohibits Congress from passing laws against religious expressions.<\/p>\r\n<p> Students have the right to share religious content and religious messages within the school setting. However, the content cannot disrupt or infringe on the rights of others. This protection enables students to openly express their beliefs.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and Religious Exercise<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects a range of activities, including:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Education<\/li>\r\n<li>Public accommodations<\/li>\r\n<li>Programs receiving federal funds<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Two parts of the Civil Rights Act help stop discrimination in schools: Title IV and Title VI.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Title IV Protections<br>\r\n<\/h3>\r\n<p>Title IV says public schools can&#8217;t discriminate on the basis of:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Religion<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Race<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Color<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Sex<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>National origin<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Title VI Protections<\/h3>\r\n<p>Title VI says programs or activities getting federal funds can&#8217;t discriminate based on:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Race<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Color<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>National origin<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Title VI does not cover instances of discrimination on the basis of religion. Instead, it protects religious groups with shared ethnic characteristics.<\/p>\r\n<p>For example, Muslim or Jewish students may face discrimination based on their ethnic characteristics. Regardless if they share the same religious identity, Title VI protects them.<\/p>\r\n<p>The U.S. Department of Education provides schools with guidance on Title VI and religious discrimination.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>Examples of Acceptable Practices<\/h2>\r\n<p>In the past, the courts have ruled that the following practices do not violate the First Amendment religion clauses:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Transportation of students to private, sectarian schools at public expense<\/li>\r\n<li>Public buying of secular textbooks for use in religious schools<\/li>\r\n<li>Religious groups and nonreligious groups using&nbsp;school facilities according to policies<\/li>\r\n<li>Release of students from schools to attend religious instruction classes<\/li>\r\n<li>Provision of a signer for a deaf student in a religious school at public expense<\/li>\r\n<li>Students having&nbsp;religious clubs on school property before or after school<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Examples of Prohibited Practices<\/h2>\r\n<p>The courts have prohibited the following practices in the past:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Sending public school teachers into private, sectarian schools to provide remedial instruction<\/li>\r\n<li>Providing a publicly funded salary supplement to teachers in religious schools<\/li>\r\n<li>Compelling students to recite the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/education\/student-rights\/school-prayer-and-the-pledge-of-allegiance-background.html\">Pledge of Allegiance<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Speak to a Civil Rights Attorney About Religious Discrimination<\/h2>\r\n<p>It is hard to know which religious activities are allowed in public schools. The intersection of religion and government is complex.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>If you worry about how your religious rights might clash with school activities, talk to a lawyer. A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">civil rights law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;can help you understand this very unsettled area of law.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Most civil rights cases need the help of an attorney\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex civil rights cases (such as employment discrimination, racial segregation, or discrimination based on gender) need the support of a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>An attorney can help you enforce your civil rights and other constitutional rights. Many offer free consultations and can offer tailored advice during your court case.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/civil-rights-overview.html\">\n                        Civil Rights Law Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination.html\">\n                        Know Your Civil Rights and Legal Protections\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/filing-civil-rights-claims.html\">\n                        Filing Civil Rights Claims\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/civil-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Civil Rights Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/discrimination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discrimination Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sexual-harassment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Harassment Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/constitutional-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitutional Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/same-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Same Sex Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/employment-law-employee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/education-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Education Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does the separation between church and state apply to public schools? Learn about students&#8217; rights, prayer, and religious practices in school at FindLaw.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":355611,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2736],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-355689","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-civilrights"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355689"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355689\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/355611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355689"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=355689"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=355689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}