‘Satan Club’ At PA School Prevails In Court, Must Be Allowed To Meet

PENNSYLVANIA — A Pennsylvania school district acted unconstitutionally when they prevented an after-school club sponsored by the Satanic Temple from meeting on school grounds, a federal judge ruled.

The After-School Satan Club must be allowed to start holding meetings at Saucon Valley District Schools, U.S. District Court Judge John Gallagher ruled on Monday.

“The sanctity of the First Amendment’s protections must prevail,” Gallagher wrote, issuing a preliminary injunction and ordering school authorities to allow the club to use district facilities.

Massachusetts-based The Satanic Temple led a lawsuit against the district, claiming officials violated students’ First Amendment rights by not allowing the club to meet on district grounds. Related article — PA School's 'Satan Club' Sparks First Amendment Lawsuit

This school district is in Hellertown (Northampton County), and had to close after a man threatened to "shoot everyone" because they approved the club earlier this year.

The district rescinded the club’s permission to meet at the middle school on Feb. 24, according to court documents. This was eight days after it approved The Satanic Temple’s application to use district facilities – namely, a room in the school.

The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP filed the lawsuit in federal court March 30 on behalf of The Satanic Temple.

Judge Gallagher said he “does not doubt” the administration’s “honorable intentions” in responding to the shooting threat, but added that based on available facts, the district’s suppression of speech “was not constitutionally permissible.”

"The record indicates the District engaged in viewpoint discrimination by rescinding approval of TST’s application based on the controversial nature of TST’s viewpoint, and the negative community reaction thereto," he wrote.

Sara Rose, deputy legal director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said the organization applauds the court “for recognizing the threat to the First Amendment rights of the After School Satan Club and The Satanic Temple and preventing Saucon Valley School District from continuing its brazen discrimination.”

“This ruling sends a powerful message that the First Amendment protects the viewpoints and beliefs of all people and faiths," Rose continued. "When a school district opens up its facilities, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs. This ruling reinforces the principle of equal access and ensures that all views have a fair opportunity to be expressed.”

However, Gallagher did not approve The Satanic Temple's request to require the school to distribute After-School Satan Club permission slips for students.

Saucon Valley school officials did not return Patch's request for comment.