School District Tried to 'Censor' Christmas — and Here's How This Law Firm Is Responding

A conservative legal firm fired off a letter to a New Hampshire public school district after the superintendent decided that the term "Christmas tree" needed to be changed to "holiday tree" on fliers advertising a local tree lighting ceremony.

The Alliance Defending Freedom's letter to New Hampshire School Administrative Unit 29 in Keene, New Hampshire, explained that the use of "Christmas" — from the firm's perspective — is not illegal and that a ban on it is patently unconstitutional.

"Calling Christmas trees what they are is not unconstitutional," wrote attorney Jeremy Tedesco. "But it is unconstitutional to censor private speech simply because it is religious in nature."

See a portion of the Alliance Defending Freedom letter below

The Alliance Defending Freedom got involved in the spat after a concerned parent and student approached the firm with concerns over the decision to "censor" Christmas.

As TheBlaze previously reported, the issue unfolded after John Fletcher, commander of a local American Legion post, sought to distribute Christmas tree lighting fliers as he does every year. He reportedly received a call saying that, for the first time in 15 years, the fliers advertising the non-school event couldn't be given to students because the word "Christmas" was on them.

“For years we have had a Christmas tree lighting and now it’s supposed to be a Holiday Tree lighting?” Fletcher wrote in a letter to the editor earlier this month. "I respect all rights; always have. But, do not take away our rights because you may offend someone else."

Apparently many others agreed, as a "firestorm" followed, with people from across the nation calling, emailing and voicing their anger over the decision, the Sentinel reported.

The school district allows private fliers to be handed out, so long as the events they are advertising have "have educational, recreational or social value to students" and are associated with a non-profit, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom.

But Superintendent Robert Malay apparently wanted "Christmas" changed to "holiday," leading Fletcher to hand out the fliers by whiting out "Christmas," yet refusing to place "holiday" on the document — an act of protest.

Photo Credit: ShutterStock.com

The Alliance Defending Freedom believes that Malay has a fundamental misunderstanding of the U.S. Constitution.

"Simply put, using the word Christmas in a flyer advertising a Christmas tree lighting and the appearance of Santa Claus is only sensible and plainly not unconstitutional," the letter continues.  "We are asking the district to amend its policies so that they no longer restrict religious expression in an unconstitutional manner."

While the school district defended its decision as being in line with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, both Fletcher and Malay are said to be working together on a future solution; it is unclear whether the Alliance Defending Freedom will take further action in attempting to remedy the situation.

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Front page image via Shutterstock.com.

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