Walters v. Freedom From Religion Foundation
What's at Stake
Whether the Oklahoma Department of Education can sue the Freedom From Religion Foundation for exercising its constitutionally protected speech and petition rights to send advocacy letters to government actors it believes are violating the law.
Summary
On March 31, 2025, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma State Superintendent of Instruction Ryan Walters filed a lawsuit against the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The lawsuit centers on FFRF鈥檚 advocacy work, including letters it has sent to public schools in Oklahoma, arguing that they were, in FFRF鈥檚 opinion, violating the constitution by incorporating religious activities in the classroom.
The case is a 鈥淪trategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,鈥� or 鈥淪LAPP鈥� suit, seeking to punish FFRF for its constitutionally protected speech, despite failing to identify any actual violation of law.
On May 9, 2025, the 糖心Vlogand 糖心Vlogof Oklahoma filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of FFRF.
This case is part of the ACLU鈥檚 larger commitment to representing clients in SLAPP suits, which are used to weaponize the legal system to punish and silence constitutionally protected speech. In our motion to dismiss, we argue that FFRF鈥檚 advocacy is protected by the First Amendment, and that the Oklahoma State Department of Education鈥檚 lawsuit is as dangerous as it is frivolous.
Legal Documents
-
06/13/2025
Defendant's Reply Brief in Support of MTD -
05/23/2025
Plaintiffs Response in Opposition to MTD -
05/07/2025
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support -
03/31/2025
Complaint
Date Filed: 06/13/2025
Affiliate: Oklahoma
Date Filed: 05/23/2025
Affiliate: Oklahoma
Date Filed: 05/07/2025
Affiliate: Oklahoma
Date Filed: 03/31/2025
Affiliate: Oklahoma