Federal Court: Good News Christian Clubs in California School District Must Have Equal Access to Government School Facilities

Liberty Counsel (LC) in February asked a federal court to block the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) from denying a Christian student club equal access to facilities when it allows other clubs access to facilities.

The Child Evangelism Fellowship NorCal East Bay (CEF) alleged that the school district was violating the organization’s religious freedom and right to equal protection under the law, state law, and school board policy. CEF operates Good News Clubs in schools.

LC announced last week that the court issued a preliminary injunction, blocking OUSD from discriminating against CEF. While the matter is pending, Good News Clubs will have equal access as other clubs. From LC:

U.S. District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. agreed stating in the injunction that the “law and facts clearly favor” Liberty Counsel’s argument that “OUSD violated CEF’s free speech rights.”

On behalf of its client, LC seeks to permanently bar the school district from violating CEF’s rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities,” said Mat Staver, LC founder and chairman. “Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a biblically based education that includes moral and character development. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school.”