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Butler v. Smith County
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit challenging widespread promotion of religion by officials in the Smith County School System. Brought on behalf of two families, the lawsuit alleges that school officials regularly incorporate prayer into school events and proselytize students in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Summary
Plaintiffs include Kelly Butler, a U.S. Army veteran and father to several children who attend Smith County schools, Sharona and Jason Carr and their children who also attend Smith County. These families are athiests.
The unlawful activities reported by the families span several school years and include, among other practices, school-directed prayer during mandatory assemblies; the distribution and display of Bibles during classes; Bible verses posted in hallways and shared in notes from school staff to students; prayers broadcast through loudspeakers at school sporting events; coaches leading or participating in prayer with student athletes; and a large cross painted on the wall of a school athletic facility.
Legal Documents
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09/30/2020
Final Consent Decree - Case Butler v Smith County
Date Filed: 09/30/2020
Affiliate: Tennessee
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04/21/2020
Butler v. Smith County - Consent Preliminary Injunction and Order
Date Filed: 04/21/2020
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v Smith County - S Carr Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - S Carr Declaration Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - HB Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - HB Declaration Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - LC Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - LC Declaration Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - PB Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - DC Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - Weaver Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - Weaver Declaration Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - K Butler Declaration
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/19/2019
Butler v. Smith County - K Butler Declaration Exhibits
Date Filed: 11/19/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
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11/18/2019
Butler v Smith County - Complaint
Date Filed: 11/18/2019
Affiliate: Tennessee
Press Releases
Court Order Requires Tennessee School District to Stop Promoting Religion
ACLU Sues to Stop Official Prayers, Promotion of Religion by Tennessee School District