Killen, USA - Hundreds of people turned out to demonstrate their concern over a move to stop pregame prayers at a high school in northwest Alabama.
Residents of the Lauderdale County town of Killen gathered Wednesday night to pray about a complaint filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The group wants to stop prayers that are said before football games at Brooks High School, arguing that they violate the Constitution.
Resident Alisha Michael helped organize the prayer gathering. She says a small group is trying to take control and dictate what others can do.
"We want to bless our players we want to protect our players, our band members, our fans, we want their safety and we plan on praying for that safety at the beginning of each ball game," Michael told WAFF-TV (http://bit.ly/uGtw5Z).
Michael said "we're going to fight this all the way through."
The resident who filed the complaint, Jeremy Green, says there are times where prayer is inappropriate, and it's illegal when endorsed by a school.
"I would never try to take away anyone's right to pray, and I will continue to support the religious freedom of everyone, but there are certain times and places where sectarian prayer is inappropriate," he said.
"Student or faculty led prayer, when endorsed by or sponsored by a public school is unconstitutional and illegal for good reason," he added. "This protects the rights of the members of all religions, and the non-religious alike."
Education leaders are deciding what to do.