Schoolhouse Rights’ helped litigate the first known case against Critical Race Theory (CRT) in our nation’s public schools. CRT is a racist, sexist, and anti-religious ideology that sows mutual hostility between people of different backgrounds in the name of “social justice.” CRT often forces students to accept its derogatory labels and assumptions in violation of their personal conscience as part of mandatory K-12 curricula. In our case, Plaintiff William Clark and his single mother Gabrielle Clark filed suit in the Federal District Court of Nevada against Public Charter School Democracy Prep et al., claiming Defendants violated their Constitutional Free Speech and Due Process rights. During Defendants’ classes, William was asked to publicly reveal his race, gender, religious, and sexual identities, and then attach derogatory labels such as “privileged” or “oppressor” to those identities. Students were then asked to “undo and unlearn” their “beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that stem from oppression.” William objected and was punished with a failing grade. In late February 2021, at a temporary restraining order hearing, a Federal District Court Judge stated, “I think William is likely to succeed on the merits” of his compelled speech claims and said “defendants would need to justify the curriculum under a strict scrutiny test.” After a few weeks of discovery, in early April 2021, Defendants not only offered to expunge William’s failing grade, but allowed William to opt out of the controversial course. William is now on track to graduate this spring.
Schoolhouse Rights was the main provider, in direct funding and pro bono attorney hours, for the Clarks and their case. In addition, Schoolhouse Rights helped to manage Plaintiffs’ media campaign, assemble a formidable litigation team. Coordinating with various organizations, such as The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) and the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Schoolhouse Rights demonstrated an ability to work with diverse constituencies to achieve a concrete legal victory.
Unfortunately, William’s case is not unique and students across the nation are facing unprecedented challenges to their liberties and freedom of conscience rights. Funding for the Schoolhouse Rights project will help to:
- identify new cases;
- assemble documentation for possible claims;
- assist with drafting complaints and engaging local counsel;
- assemble and partially fund a litigation team to manage the unique needs of each case; and
- coordinate with outside groups to manage public relations and media.
Schoolhouse Rights is a new project of the International Organization for the Family, a 501(c)(3) charity, and is funded by donations which are tax-deductible.
SchoolhouseRights.org is a project of the International Organization for the Family, a 501(c)(3) charity, and donations are tax-deductible. All donations directed to SchoolhouseRights.org will go exclusively towards the legal and administrative costs associated with public interest litigation supported by SchoolhouseRights.org.