User:Lionelt/Williams v. Widmar

 

Williams v. Widmar was a 2004 First Amendment lawsuit filed in Federal Court. Stephen Williams, a teacher at Stephens Creek Elementary School in Cupertino, California, argued that his right to distribute handouts to his class was violated.

Background
On November 22, 2004, Stephen Williams filed suit in federal district court against the Cupertino Union School District, alleging violations of his rights under the First Amendment. Williams taught fifth grade at Stevens Creek Elementary School for six years and describes himself as an "orthodox Christian."

With the assistance of the Alliance Defense Fund, Williams alleged that the school had violated his rights when principal Patricia Vidmar began to screen and censor handouts that he intended to give to his fifth-grade class during lessons on the history of the United States. Media coverage indicates that this was probably done in response to complaints by Williams's students (and their parents) that he was talking about God all the time.

The handouts included quotations from the Declaration of Independence, various state constitutions, George Washington's journal, John Adams's diary, and William Penn's writings. The quotations appear to have been selected to highlight the use of religious references by the Founding Fathers of the United States and other earlier leaders. There was also a handout that included quotations from various U.S. presidents and Jesus Christ on why it is good to read the Bible.

Media attention
However, the Associated Press reported that Williams was alleging that he was being prevented from teaching the Declaration of Independence. Conservative websites and such commentators as Alan Keyes played up the story as a blatant instance of hostility to religion. These interpretations were based on the Alliance Defense Fund press release.

On December 9, 2004, Fox News's Hannity and Colmes program visited Flint Center and filmed a show there with Williams and his attorney. The Center was packed by a crowd of more than 3,000.

Settlement
In April 2005, Federal Judge James Ware disallowed three of the four claims, allowing the fourth to proceed. A hearing date was set for October.

In August 2005, Williams dropped the lawsuit, preferring to settle out of court. Per the settlement, the school made several policy statements which contradicted the reasoning previously given for the school's actions, and no payment was required between the parties. Several days later Williams resigned from the school district. Principal Vidmar, a defendant in the original suit, continued in her position as Principal of Stevens Creek Elementary.