Alexandria, VA — Today Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC), released the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District:

“The decision of Kennedy v. Bremerton School District is a monumental step forward in protecting religious liberties and free speech in the United States. In this case, Coach Kennedy held a post-game prayer on the fifty yard-line. Kennedy had “not actively encouraged, or required, participation” in the prayer. For this, the Bremerton School District placed Coach Kennedy on administrative leave and recommended that Kennedy’s contract not be renewed the following season.

“In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the most essential tenets of our republic: free speech and religious liberty – principles this country was founded upon. As the majority opinion stated, “the Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religion and nonreligious views alike.” No longer should government employees and contractors have their job security threatened for following their faith. This is a tremendous victory for religious liberties and free speech.

“We also appreciate that Chief Justice John Roberts has decided that it is never judicial activism to simply uphold the clear reading of the Constitution.”

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