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HELLERTOWN, Pa. 鈥� A federal district court issued a preliminary injunction today, ordering the Saucon Valley School District (SVSD) to allow the After School Satan Club (ASSC) to meet in district facilities. The emergency injunction comes after the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit in March on behalf of The Satanic Temple (TST), which sponsors the club. In its decision, the court ruled that the district likely violated the First Amendment when it bowed to public pressure by revoking approval for the club to hold meetings at the Saucon Valley Middle School. The district had previously admitted that, under the U.S. Constitution, it 鈥渃annot discriminate among groups wishing to use the SVSD facilities.鈥� In the ruling, Judge John M. Gallagher held that the district鈥檚 decision to deny the ASSC access to school facilities 鈥渨as based on The Satanic Temple鈥檚 controversial views on religion and the community鈥檚 negative reactions thereto.鈥� This motivation, the court explained, is incompatible with the First Amendment: 鈥淲hen confronted with a challenge to free speech, the government鈥檚 first instinct must be to forward expression rather than quash it. Particularly when the content is controversial or inconvenient. Nothing less is consistent with the expressed purpose of American government to secure the core, innate rights of its people.鈥� Although the district contends that it rescinded approval for the ASSC because the group failed to make clear on a permission slip that the club is not sponsored by the district, the court ultimately determined that the claim was a pretext meant to cover up the district鈥檚 discrimination against the group鈥檚 religious beliefs. 鈥淲e applaud the court for recognizing the threat to the First Amendment rights of the After School Satan Club and The Satanic Temple and preventing Saucon Valley School District from continuing its brazen discrimination,鈥� said Sara Rose, deputy legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. 鈥淭his ruling sends a powerful message that the First Amendment protects the viewpoints and beliefs of all people and faiths. When a school district opens up its facilities, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs. This ruling reinforces the principle of equal access and ensures that all views have a fair opportunity to be expressed.鈥� The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleges that the district鈥檚 refusal to grant the ASSC equal access to school facilities gave a 鈥渉eckler鈥檚 veto鈥� to those who dislike the group鈥檚 religious viewpoint. The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from censoring speech based on the objections or reactions of others and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment bars official discrimination based on faith. 鈥淭his is welcome news for Saucon Valley students and families seeking to participate in the supportive and inclusive community provided by ASSC meetings,鈥� said June Everett, director of The Satanic Temple鈥檚 ASSC programming. 鈥淭he ruling affirms that schools may not discriminate against groups on the basis of their beliefs or faith. The district must allow all qualified organizations to use district facilities, even if some in the community object.鈥� In accordance with district policy allowing for the reservation and rental of SVSD facilities for civic, cultural, educational, and recreational activities, numerous organizations, including religious groups like the Christian-based Good News Club, hold meetings and events at district schools. In February, TST likewise applied to use district facilities for club meetings. The club is open to all students and offers programming 鈥� such as community service projects, games, nature-based activities, and arts and crafts 鈥� inspired by, and aligned with, the Satanic virtues of benevolence, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty, and compassion. The court鈥檚 order requires the district 鈥渢o permit the After School Satan Club to meet on the three dates and at the location previously stipulated to by the parties鈥� and instructs that 鈥渢he meetings shall otherwise be subject to the conditions upon which the parties agreed when Defendant approved Plaintiff鈥檚 application to hold After School Satan Club meetings on February 16, 2023.鈥� In addition to the emergency relief granted today, the lawsuit requests permanent injunctive relief against the district, as well as compensatory and nominal damages and attorneys鈥� fees. The ruling issued today can be found here. ### About the ACLU: For more than 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, the ACLU takes on the toughest civil liberties fights in pursuit of liberty and justice for all. For more information on the ACLU, visit . About The Satanic Temple: The mission of The Satanic Temple is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will. The IRS has recognized The Satanic Temple as a church under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information on The Satanic Temple, visit https://thesatanictemple.com.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Saucon Valley School District (SVSD) in March 2023 for violating the First Amendment by prohibiting the After School Satan Club (ASSC) from meeting in district facilities. Although school officials initially approved the club鈥檚 application 鈥� explaining in an email to parents that the district 鈥渃annot discriminate among groups wishing to use the SVSD facilities鈥� 鈥� they quickly bowed to the ensuing public outcry. The case seeks to allow the ASSC to meet in district facilities.