“This historic settlement is a victory for all Bossier families, and will ensure that children feel welcome and included in their own schools, regardless of what religion they do or don’t practice at home,” said Rachel Laser, president & CEO of Americans United. “Bossier Parish allowed religious coercion to proliferate throughout their schools – that system will no longer exist and rigorous protections that are enforceable by law have been put in place for all students.”

You’ll hear a lot this week about private school vouchers during National School Choice Week, but what you won’t hear a lot about is how vouchers don’t work, how vouchers undermine public education and religious freedom, and how vouchers don’t help children, families, public schools or you – the taxpayer.

“Students shouldn’t have to pray to play on their high school football team. The coach’s actions were a clear violation of religious freedom, forcing kids to choose between their own beliefs and appeasing the man who decides the lineup for the game. This is not a dilemma any child should face," said AU President & CEO Rachel Laser.

Maurice Bessinger wanted to deny services to an entire class of people, African Americans, because of his religious beliefs. Today, we’re hearing arguments that businesses should be able to deny goods and services to other groups of people, usually members of the LGBTQ community, on the basis of owners’ religious beliefs.