Steven Williams Case

[Ed Brayton]

Much has been said in the media recently about the Steven Williams case 
in Cupertino, California, I'm a little surprised nothing has been said 
here about it. Williams is a 5th grade teacher who is suing the 
Cupertino school district because the principal, after numerous 
complaints from parents that he was proselytizing about Christianity in 
class, required him to get her permission before handing out 
supplementary materials concerning religious matters and warned him 
about the complaints. You can find the actual complaint at 
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/media/WilliamsvCupertinoComplaint.pdf. 
He seems to be making two arguments, one based on free speech and one on 
equal protection.

The Alliance Defense Fund, representing Mr. Williams, has been rather 
dishonest in their portrayal of the situation, it seems to me. They 
issued a press release titled "Declaration of Independence banned from 
classroom", and the media picked up on that immediately and reported it 
as thought it was true. Irresponsibly inaccurate on both parts, I would 
argue.

Any thoughts here on the legal issues in this case?
Ed Brayton
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