Memphis school district settles lawsuit with Satanic Temple

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Shelby County School District has agreed to pay more than $15,000 to resolve a federal lawsuit with the sponsors of an after-school satan club.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Satanic Temple back in March, claiming MSCS violated their First Amendment rights.

Late last year, the Satanic Temple announced plans to host the after-school satan club at Chimneyrock Elementary School. Planned activities included science and community service projects, games, nature activities, and arts and crafts. It marked the organization’s fifth active club in the country.

At the time, MSCS said while they did not endorse the satan club, all non-profit organizations seeking to use facilities after school hours were guaranteed equal access.

On January 10, MSCS allowed the Satanic Temple to hold the first after-school event at Chimney Rock, but club leaders said administrators and members of the clergy tried to block and deter them from meeting at the school. The lawsuit also alleged MSCS charged discriminatory rental and security fees.

FFRF said MSCS agreed to pay $1 for nominal damages to The Satanic Temple, $14,845 in attorneys’ fees and costs and $196.71 for various fees previously paid by the Temple that had not yet been refunded.

WREG contacted MSCS, but so far, the school system has not commented on the settlement.

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