VA Woman Wins Fight to Pray at School Board Meeting After Initial Prayer Was Shut Down

A Virginia woman was permitted to pray at her local school board meeting after initially being denied that right by its members.

Angela Kilgore offered to pray during the remainder of her public comment time at a Suffolk Public Schools Board meeting in August. 

She wanted to pray “for Suffolk Public Schools” and its board members but was prevented from doing so by Board Chair Tyron Riddick.

“I apologize, we can’t do that,” he replied. 

“Why can’t we?” Kilgore said. “I like to pray for our students in our school.”  

In a video of the school board meeting, the tense exchange began to escalate. 

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Kilgore invited those in attendance to join her to pray after the meeting, but instead, attendees decided to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Riddick promptly ordered security officers to clear the room. 

After the meeting, Founding Freedoms Law Center (FFLC) and First Liberty Institute sent a letter to the Suffolk Public Schools Board requesting officials “update their public comment policies to reflect the right of religious citizens to express their viewpoint without fear of censorship.”

The

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