Fighting for Fairness: Can All Voices Be Heard in Public Schools?
Should every voice, no matter how unconventional, have a chance to be heard in public schools? That’s the question I’m asking in my latest effort to promote free speech and equality. Recently, I reached out to Leon County Schools with a straightforward request: approval to display a banner reading, “Satan Loves the First Amendment.”
The message? Fairness and inclusivity. Everyone deserves equal access to public forums, even when their views challenge the norm.
The Banner Request
In my email, I explained the banner’s purpose:
“As the founder and ordained minister of the Church of Satanology, I am seeking equal access to display banners with our message, ‘Satan Loves the First Amendment,’ at schools across the district. Observing that other religious organizations have displayed banners on school properties, I am requesting information about the district’s advertising policies to ensure a fair opportunity to share our perspective.”
This effort is part of a larger movement to hold public institutions accountable for treating all viewpoints equally. It also ties directly to my federal lawsuit against Broward County Schools, where I’m challenging their alleged bias against minority religious voices.
The District’s Response
Leon County Schools replied with their advertising policy, which bans promotions for specific religions. While this could present challenges, the policy also allows educational messages aligned with district goals. This leaves room to discuss whether my banner qualifies.
Pushing for Clarification
In my follow-up, I emphasized the educational nature of the banner:
“This banner isn’t about promoting a religion — it’s about highlighting the constitutional principles of free speech and religious equality.”
I asked two key questions:
- Does the banner fit the policy as non-sectarian, educational content?
- What steps are required to get it approved?
A History of Creative Activism
This isn’t my first time challenging the norm. In 2023, I advocated for the removal of Bibles from Florida’s public schools, arguing for the importance of separating church and state. A decade earlier, in 2013, I made headlines with a Festivus pole crafted from beer cans, which symbolized my fight against religious favoritism in government spaces.
These efforts reflect a consistent mission: ensuring public spaces remain open and fair for all beliefs.
Why This Matters
This banner is about more than free speech. It’s about fairness, inclusivity, and holding public institutions accountable to constitutional principles. Public schools should be places where every voice, no matter how unconventional, can be heard.
When we protect the rights of minority voices, we strengthen the First Amendment for everyone. This fight isn’t just about me — it’s about the fundamental freedoms we all share.
Your Support Makes It Possible
Advocating for free speech takes time, effort, and resources. Legal battles, outreach campaigns, and public education efforts rely on funding to succeed.
Here’s how your support can help:
- Cover court costs for ongoing litigation.
- Produce advocacy materials to educate the public.
- Expand outreach efforts to protect free speech nationwide.
This is a critical moment. Public institutions need to hear loud and clear that fairness and inclusivity matter. Your contribution can help ensure that no voice — no matter how unconventional — is silenced.