Christian Persecution Pt I

School Bans Bible During 'Free Reading' Time: "He’s not permitted to read those books in my classroom

At Issue: Religious Expression in the School
Case Status: Ongoing

The Big Picture
A teacher at Park Lakes Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, sternly ordered a 5th-grader—Giovanni Rubeo—to stop reading his beloved Bible during free reading time. She told him, “Put it on my desk!” The teacher then left a voicemail for Giovanni’s father, telling him that “those books” (meaning books like the Bible) were not allowed in “her classroom.”

Why this Case Matters
Broward County school officials violated federal and state law that guarantees the rights of public school students to engage in private religious expression and other private religious activity in schools—including reading religious books like the Bible in free time.

The Facts
•On April 8, 2014, a teacher at Park Lakes Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL sternly ordered a 5th-grader—Giovanni Rubeo—to stop reading his beloved Bible during free reading time. She told him, “Put it on my desk!”
•The teacher then left a voicemail for Giovanni’s father, telling him that “those books” (meaning books like the Bible) were not allowed in “her classroom.” Listen to actual audio of the teacher’s voicemail here.
•When Giovanni’s dad, Paul Rubeo, protested his son’s treatment, the school officials sent him a two-sentence reply dodging the key issue of whether students could read religious material during free time.
•Giovanni’s father retained Liberty Institute to represent him and his son.
•On May 5, 2014, Liberty Institute sent a letter to the Broward County, Florida schools on behalf of Paul Rubeo, and his son Giovanni. Our letter demands a written apology within 10 days, and restoration of the rights of children in the Broward School District..." In the School - Rubeo  Jn 15:20

Related:

Christian Persecution Pt II

War on Christians

School Prayer