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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... Latest Releases
Making news?
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| SEPTEMBER
25, 1998 11:28 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: People for the American Way Nancy Coleman or David Elliot, 202-467-4999 |
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| Ohioans Rally to Save Public Education As Supreme Court Hears Voucher Case | ||||
| WASHINGTON
- September 25 - News Advisory: On Monday, Sept. 28, the Ohio Supreme Court will be asked to uphold a lower court ruling that Cleveland's voucher program violates both the U.S. and Ohio constitutions. Following oral arguments, a rally in support of public education will be held at noon at 30 East Broad Street in Columbus. The rally will be led by the Rev. Larry Mays, pastor of the Waters of Life Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, and a member of People For the American Way Foundation's national African American Ministers Leadership Council. People For the American Way Foundation Legal Director Elliot Mincberg will be attending both the oral arguments and the rally and will be available for interviews. "Vouchers are bad for our children and our community," said Rev. Mays. "They drain public dollars from our schools and send that money to private schools, where it benefits only a few schoolchildren. Our efforts and our taxes should be used to create outstanding public schools for all our children." "Ohio is a fertile target in the nationwide right-wing attack on public education," said PFAWF President Carole Shields. "Our kids deserve strong public schools - not schools ruined and abandoned by conservative politicians." PFAWF, along with a coalition of other civil liberty and education groups, is co-counsel to the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, a group of Ohio parents and taxpayers. Last year, the Ohio Court of Appeals struck down the voucher law, ruling that it violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Ohio Constitution. The court ruled that because the law provides "direct and substantial, non-neutral government aid to sectarian schools," it has the primary effect of advancing religion. Monday, the parents and citizens' groups opposing the voucher program will ask the Ohio Supreme Court to uphold the lower court's ruling. People For the American Way Foundation is a 300,000-member nonprofit organization dedicated to defending civil rights; promoting the democratic values of religious freedom and respect for diversity; and developing a culture of opportunity and tolerance of individual difference. ### |
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