Faith Without Force: A Legal Reflection on Ahlquist v. Cranston

In 2012, a federal court struck down a prayer banner at Cranston High School West as an Establishment Clause violation under the Lemon test. In 2022, the Supreme Court formally abandoned the Lemon framework in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, replacing it with a historical practices and understandings approach. Would Ahlquist be decided the same way today? 

This panel brings together constitutional law scholars, civil liberties advocates, and attorneys connected to the case to examine Establishment Clause doctrine, religious liberty in public schools, and whether Kennedy's rejection of Lemon has fundamentally altered the constitutional landscape for cases involving religious displays in public education. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how shifting constitutional doctrine shapes the boundaries of religious expression in public schools and what that means for cases yet to come.

Panelists

• Christopher Hampson – Associate Professor, University of Florida
• Lynette Labinger, Esq. – Constitutional and Civil Rights Attorney
• Steven Green – Fred H. Paulus Professor of Law & Affiliated Professor of History and Religious Studies, Willamette University

Law Student Moderators

• David Salzillo, Jr., President, RWU Law American Constitutional Society
• Alana Quashie, President, RWU Law Cristian Legal Society

Register Here - March 23 CLE Program
Rhode Island MCLE Credit
This program is pending for one Rhode Island MCLE Credit.

Special Accommodations
Persons who, because of a special need or condition, would like to request an accommodation for an event should contact the Office of the Dean - Programs & Initiatives, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. lawevents@rwu.edu

Questions? Contact: Alana Quashie | aquashie268@g.rwu.edu