Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 22, 1993 TAG: 9306220264
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
The appeal was filed in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by William Chapman, the school board's attorney.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month allowed student-led prayers at graduation ceremonies. But U.S. District Judge Albert V. Bryan Jr. ruled Friday that Loudoun County's plans for benedictions and invocations were initiated by school officials, not students, and therefore violated the constitutional principle of church-state separation.
"The judge was clearly wrong," Chapman said.
Bryan suspended the effective date of his order until the end of the business day Monday to give the School Board time to appeal.
Graduation ceremonies at Loudoun County, Loudoun Valley, Park View and Broad Run high schools are scheduled for Thursday.
In addition to appealing Bryan's ruling, Chapman filed a motion asking the 4th Circuit to suspend the order until arguments on the appeal can be heard. He said he hopes for a ruling on the motion before Thursday, but a decision on the ruling itself is unlikely by then.
Anastasia Gearon, an 18-year-old Park View senior, brought the lawsuit challenging the prayer plans. She was represented by lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union.
by CNB