(RNS) — An Arizona school board member who was instructed to stop quoting Bible passages during board meetings filed a federal lawsuit against her district Wednesday (Sept. 27), alleging her First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion had been violated.Heather Rooks, a Christian who attends a large nondenominational church, has been serving the Peoria Unified School District, one of Arizona’s largest districts, since January 2023. She is being represented by the law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP and the First Liberty Institute, a Texas-based conservative legal organization known for defending school football coach Joe Kennedy, who recently won a Supreme Court Case after being fired for praying at the 50-yard line.
Since the start of her term, Rooks, whose four children attend school in the district, has quoted short Bible passages during the “board comments” portion of each board meeting. The passages were often related to the theme of courage.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” Rooks said at a meeting in January, quoting from the first chapter of Joshua in the Hebrew Bible.
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge,” she sai …
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