The American Jewish Congress here today announced that a new legal effort to halt the introduction of religious programs in public schools will be made in the Dade County, which includes Greater Miami.
Bernard Mandler, chairman of the Commission on Law and Social Action of the South Florida Council of the American Jewish Congress, said that the new lawsuit is similar to that filed several weeks ago by Harlow Chamberlain. The plaintiffs in the second lawsuit are all affiliated with churches or synagogues.
Mr. Mandler said that the suits contend that the presence of religious activities in the public schools–including prayers Chanukah and Christmas presentations, Easter and Passover programs, readings from the Bible and other similar practices–all violate the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida.
The chairman said both suits are an innovation in the field of separation of Church and State litigation because they do not concentrate on a single sectarian practice but seek to end a variety such actions. The Dade County School Board has asked the court to dismiss the Chamberlain suit and presumably will respond similarly to the second lawsuit.
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