[20010625]98-523_阿拉巴马州学校祈祷案：钱德勒诉西格曼.pdf

1 Alabama Code 16-1-20 (1995).Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 98-523 AUpdated June 25, 2001The Alabama School Prayer Case:Chandler v. Siegelman-name redacted-Legislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryIn Chandler v. James in 1997 a federal district court in Alabama held a statuteauthorizing non-sectarian, non-proselytizing, student-initiated voluntary prayer at allpublic school events to violate the establishment of religion clause of the FirstAmendment. To enforce that ruling, Judge DeMent issued an injunction barring theenforcement of the statute and enjoining school officials in DeKalb County, Alabama,from fostering and engaging in a variety of evangelical activities in the schools. Thatdecision and injunction became the subject of intense political controversy in Alabamaand elsewhere. Governor James pursued appeals to both the Supreme Court and theEleventh Circuit contending that the decision and the injunction ought to be vacated onthe grounds the establishment clause has no applicability to the states. Both courtsdenied the Governors petition. But in a separate appeal by the state Attorne