Case: Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club v. Westfield Public Schools

3:03-cv-30008 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: Jan. 13, 2003

Closed Date: 2003

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Case Summary

On January 13, 2003, several student members of the Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, against the City of Westfield, Massachusetts. The complaint alleged that the defendant violated the plaintiffs' freedom of speech, assembly, and free exercise of religion under the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause, and unlawfully discriminated against them based on the religious content of their speech in violation of the Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. § 4071, and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The plaintiffs also alleged violation of their freedom of expression under Massachusetts state law. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel and Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly "Alliance Defense Fund"), a Christian non-profit organization, requested a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, and damages.

More specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that Westfield High School's policies and practices which prohibited and punished them for distributing religious literature, were discriminatory, content-based, vague, and acted as an unconstitutional prior restraint on speech. The alleged discrimination began during the 2001-2002 school year, when the plaintiffs were denied permission to distribute candy canes along with a religious story of the candy cane and Bible verses, to students at the school during non-instructional time. In 2002, the plaintiffs were again denied permission to distribute the literature, on the basis that the material was "offensive." The plaintiffs distributed the materials with the religious content anyway and were suspended as a consequence.

On January 13, 2003, along with their complaint, the plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction, requesting the Court enjoin the defendants from enforcing the allegedly unconstitutional policies and the suspensions on the plaintiffs. Both the ACLU of Massachusetts and the United States filed briefs as amici curiae in support of the plaintiffs' motion, on February 26 and February 20, respectively. Following a hearing, the District Court (Judge Frank H. Freedman) granted the plaintiffs' motion on March 17. Westfield High Sch. L.I.F.E. Club v. City of Westfield, 249 F. Supp. 2d 98, 108-109, 127-28 (D. Mass. 2003).

On April 7, 2003, the defendants filed a motion to stay, which the Court denied on April 16. On April 16, the plaintiffs amended their complaint to add the City of Westfield as a defendant and remove Westfield Public Schools as a party. The plaintiffs also moved for summary judgment.

On June 13, 2003, the Court entered a stipulation of dismissal of the claims against the individual defendants.

On June 16, 2003, the Court entered a consent decree, which proclaimed that the defendants had replaced the school speech policies with new agreed-upon rules. The defendants also agreed to rescind punishment of the plaintiffs for the distribution of the religious materials, remove prior restraints and content-based restrictions of distribution of materials during non-instructional time without complying with substantive and procedural safeguards, so long as distribution doesn't substantially and materially disrupt the operation of the school or the new policies. The plaintiffs were awarded $28,500 in attorneys' fees and costs and the case was closed.

Summary Authors

Stella Cernak (3/14/2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/28795856/parties/westfield-high-sch-v-westfield-pub-sch/

Judge(s)

Freedman, Frank Harlan (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Emmons, Bertin C. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Berman, Amy I. (Massachusetts)

Caspar, Edward G. (Massachusetts)

Glassman, Jeremiah (Massachusetts)

Judge(s)

Freedman, Frank Harlan (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Emmons, Bertin C. (Massachusetts)

Oster, Joel L. (Massachusetts)

Stanley, Erik W. (Massachusetts)

Staver, Mathew D. (Massachusetts)

Staver, Anita L. (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Martin, Peter H. (Massachusetts)

Mulvaney, Edward P. (Massachusetts)

Thompson, Claire L. (Massachusetts)

Other

Berman, Amy I. (Massachusetts)

Caspar, Edward G. (Massachusetts)

Glassman, Jeremiah (Massachusetts)

Marshall, Franz R. (Massachusetts)

Newman, William (Massachusetts)

Pyle, Jeffrey Jackson (Massachusetts)

Treene, Eric W. (Massachusetts)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

3:03-cv-30008	Docket [PACER] Westfield High Sch. v. Westfield Pub. Sch.	March 4, 2009	March 4, 2009 Docket
1 3:03-cv-30008	Verified Complaint for Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief, Declaratory Relief and Damages Westfield High School Life Club v. Westfield Public Schools	Jan. 13, 2003	Jan. 13, 2003 Complaint
38 3:03-cv-30008	Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction (249 F. Supp. 2d 98) Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club v. City of Westfield	March 17, 2003	March 17, 2003 Order/Opinion
43 3:03-cv-30008	Second Verified Amended Complaint Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club v. City of Westfield	April 16, 2003	April 16, 2003 Complaint
54 3:03-cv-30008	Order Entering Plaintiffs' Consent Decree Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club v. City of Westfield	June 16, 2003	June 16, 2003 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/28795856/westfield-high-sch-v-westfield-pub-sch/

Last updated March 25, 2025, 6:55 p.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Jan. 13, 2003	Complaint filed. Case assigned to Judge: Kenneth P. Neiman. Receipt #: 305099. Amount:$ 150.00. Fee Status: Paid. Mag/Judge Consent Form, LR 4.1, notice of lawsuit and waiver of service of summons to Counsel. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	Clearinghouse
2	Jan. 13, 2003	Ps' Motion for Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice. Fee Status: Paid. Fee Amt: $50.00. Receipt #: 305099 filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
3	Jan. 13, 2003	Ps' Motion by for Mathew D. Staver to appear pro hac vice. Fee Status: Paid. Fee Amt: 5$0.00. Receipt #: 305099. filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
4	Jan. 13, 2003	Ps' Motion by for Anita L. Staver to appear pro hac vice. Fee Status: Paid. Fee Amt: $50.00. Receipt #: 305099., filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
5	Jan. 13, 2003	Ps' Motion for Joel L. Oster to appear pro hac vice. Fee Status: Paid. Fee Amt: $50.00. Receipt #: 305099., filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
6	Jan. 13, 2003	Motion by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper for P.I. filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
7	Jan. 13, 2003	Memorandum by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper in support of [6-1] motion for P.I., filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
8	Jan. 13, 2003	Motion by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper for waiver of posting a Security Bond in obtaining a Preliminary Injunction, filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
9	Jan. 13, 2003	Memorandum by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper in support of [8-1] motion for waiver of posting a Security Bond in obtaining a Preliminary Injunction, filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	RECAP
	Jan. 13, 2003	Summons issued for Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley (mef)
	Jan. 13, 2003	Summons issued for Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley (mef) (Entered: 01/13/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [5−1] motion for Joel L. Oster to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef) (Entered: 01/14/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [2−1] motion for Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef) (Entered: 01/14/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [3−1] motion for Mathew D. Staver to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef) (Entered: 01/14/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [2-1] motion for Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef)
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [4−1] motion for Anita L. Staver to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef) (Entered: 01/14/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [3-1] motion for Mathew D. Staver to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef)
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [4-1] motion for Anita L. Staver to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef)
	Jan. 14, 2003	Judge Michael A. Ponsor . Endorsed Order entered granting [5-1] motion for Joel L. Oster to appear pro hac vice; cc/cl. [EOD Date 1/14/03] (mef)
10	Jan. 15, 2003	Not all parties consenting to assignment to Magistrate Judge Neiman. Case to be redrawn for random assignment to District Judge. (mgl) (Entered: 01/15/2003)	RECAP
11	Jan. 15, 2003	Notice of case assignment. Case reassigned from Judge Neiman to Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . cc/cl (mgl) (Entered: 01/15/2003)	RECAP
12	Jan. 21, 2003	Dft's Motion by Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley to extend time to 2/10/03 to file its opposition to motion for preliminary injunction and answer to complaint, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 01/22/2003)	RECAP
13	Jan. 21, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley by Claire L. Thompson, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 01/22/2003)	RECAP
	Jan. 24, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [12−1] motion to extend time to 2/10/03 to file its opposition to motion for preliminary injunction and answer to complaint, set answer due for 2/10/03 for Thomas W. Daley, for Thomas Y. McDowell, for Westfield Pub. Sch. , Response to motion reset to 2/10/03 for [6−1] motion for P.I. . [EOD Date 1/24/03] (jcs) (Entered: 01/24/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 24, 2003	Motion hearing re: [6−1] motion for P.I. at 10:00 2/25/03 (jcs) (Entered: 01/24/2003)	PACER
	Jan. 24, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [12-1] motion to extend time to 2/10/03 to file its opposition to motion for preliminary injunction and answer to complaint, set answer due for 2/10/03 for Thomas W. Daley, for Thomas Y. McDowell, for Westfield Pub. Sch., Response to motion reset to 2/10/03 for [6-1] motion for P.I. . [EOD Date 1/24/03] (jcs)
	Jan. 24, 2003	Motion hearing re: [6-1] motion for P.I. at 10:00 2/25/03 (jcs)
14	Jan. 27, 2003	Return of service executed as to Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley w/s/o 1/14/2003 filed. Answer due on 2/3/03 for Thomas W. Daley, for Thomas Y. McDowell, for Westfield Pub. Sch. (mef) (Entered: 01/27/2003)	RECAP
15	Jan. 27, 2003	Ps' Notice of Filing of returns of service on the Defts. filed. (mef) (Entered: 01/27/2003)	RECAP
16	Jan. 27, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper by Mathew D. Staver, filed. (bah) (Entered: 01/28/2003)	RECAP
17	Jan. 27, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper by Erik W. Stanley, filed. (bah) (Entered: 01/28/2003)	RECAP
18	Jan. 27, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper by Joel L. Oster, filed. (bah) (Entered: 01/28/2003)	RECAP
19	Jan. 27, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper by Anita L. Staver, filed. (bah) (Entered: 01/28/2003)	RECAP
20	Feb. 7, 2003	Dft's Motion by Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley to extend time to 2/14/03 to file its opposition to plantiff motion for preliminar injuntion, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/07/2003)	RECAP
21	Feb. 10, 2003	Pltfs' Response in opposition to [20-1] motion to extend time to 2/14/03 to file its opposition to plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injuntion, filed. (jcs) (Entered: 02/10/2003)	RECAP
22	Feb. 10, 2003	Answer by Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell to complaint; jury demand, filed. (mef) (Entered: 02/10/2003)	RECAP
23	Feb. 11, 2003	Motion by Thomas W. Daley to ext. time to 2/13/2003 to resp. to the complaint., filed. (mef) (Entered: 02/11/2003)	RECAP
	Feb. 11, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [23-1]; cc/cl. Reset answer due for 2/13/2003 for Thomas W. Daley . [EOD Date 2/11/03] (mef)
	Feb. 11, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [20−1]; cc/cl. Ds' resp. to motion reset to 2/14/2003 for [6−1] motion for P.I. . [EOD Date 2/11/03] (mef) (Entered: 02/11/2003)	PACER
	Feb. 11, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [23−1]; cc/cl. Reset answer due for 2/13/2003 for Thomas W. Daley . [EOD Date 2/11/03] (mef) (Entered: 02/11/2003)	PACER
	Feb. 11, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [20-1]; cc/cl. Ds' resp. to motion reset to 2/14/2003 for [6-1] motion for P.I. . [EOD Date 2/11/03] (mef)
24	Feb. 13, 2003	Answer by Thomas W. Daley to complaint; jury demand, filed. (mgl) (Entered: 02/13/2003)	RECAP
25	Feb. 13, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for Thomas W. Daley by, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/13/2003)	RECAP
26	Feb. 14, 2003	Memorandum of law by Dft's Westfield Pub. Sch., Thomas Y. McDowell in opposition to Ptf's [6-1] motion for P.I., filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/14/2003)	RECAP
27	Feb. 20, 2003	Motion by U.S.A. for leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief, filed. (mef) (Entered: 02/20/2003)	RECAP
28	Feb. 20, 2003	Amicus Curiae Brief by U.S.A. filed in support of Ps' motion for P.I. filed. (mef) (Entered: 02/20/2003)	RECAP
	Feb. 20, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [27−1] motion for leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief; cc/cl. [EOD Date 2/20/03] (mef) (Entered: 02/20/2003)	PACER
	Feb. 20, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [27-1] motion for leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief; cc/cl. [EOD Date 2/20/03] (mef)
29	Feb. 21, 2003	Motion by ACLUM for leave to file memorandum of law as amicus curiae, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/21/2003)	RECAP
30	Feb. 21, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for ACLUM by Jeffery J. Pyle, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/21/2003)	RECAP
31	Feb. 21, 2003	Notice of appearance of attorney for ACLUM by William C. Newman, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/21/2003)	RECAP
32	Feb. 24, 2003	Notice of Supplemental authority by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 02/24/2003)	RECAP
33	Feb. 24, 2003	Supplemental Affidavit of Sharon Sitler, re: in support of Ptf's [6-1] motion for P.I., filed. (mgl) (Entered: 02/24/2003)	RECAP
34	Feb. 24, 2003	Ptf's Supplemental Affidavit of Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, re: in support of Ptf's [6-1] motion for P.I., filed. (mgl) (Entered: 02/24/2003)	RECAP
35	Feb. 25, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Clerk's Notes: re: Pltfs' motion for leave to amend verified complaint to add City of Westfield as the proper Deft. is ALLOWED. Issue re: LIFE Club status as a party taken under advisement. Hearing on Pltfs' motion for P.I. - [6-1]. After hearing the court takes the motion under advisement. Court Reporter: Vickie Britt. (mef) (Entered: 02/25/2003)	RECAP
	Feb. 25, 2003	Motion hearing re: [6−1] motion for P.I. Motion hearing held (mef) (Entered: 02/25/2003)	PACER
	Feb. 25, 2003	Motion hearing re: [6-1] motion for P.I. Motion hearing held (mef)
36	Feb. 26, 2003	Memorandum Amicus Curiae brief by ACLUM in support of Ps' motion for P.I. filed. (mef) (Entered: 02/26/2003)	RECAP
	Feb. 26, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [29−1] motion for leave to file memorandum of law as amicus curiae; cc/cl. [EOD Date 2/26/03] (mef) (Entered: 02/26/2003)	PACER
	Feb. 26, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [29-1] motion for leave to file memorandum of law as amicus curiae; cc/cl. [EOD Date 2/26/03] (mef)
37	March 10, 2003	Amended complaint by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper filed. (Answer due 3/20/03 for City of Westfield, for Thomas W. Daley, for Thomas Y. McDowell ) . Amended complaint amends [1-1] complaint ; adding . (mgl) (Entered: 03/11/2003)	RECAP
38	March 17, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Memorandum and Order entered. The Court GRANTS the Pltfs' motion for preliminary injunction - [6-1] and motion for waiver of security bond - [8-1]; cc/cl. [EOD Date 3/17/03] (mef) (Entered: 03/17/2003)	Clearinghouse
39	March 17, 2003	Answer by Thomas Y. McDowell, City of Westfield to amended complaint, filed.; jury demand c/s (mgl) (Entered: 03/17/2003)	RECAP
40	March 18, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Notice of Conference: Set Pretrial Scheduling Conf. for 10:00 A.M. on 4/22/2003; cc/cl. . (mef) (Entered: 03/18/2003)	RECAP
41	April 7, 2003	Motion by Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley, City of Westfield to stay, filed. c/s (mgl) (Entered: 04/08/2003)	RECAP
42	April 16, 2003	Ps' Memorandum in opposition to [41-1] motion to stay and in support of their motion to postpone the scheduling conf. filed. (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	RECAP
43	April 16, 2003	SECOND VERIFIED Amended complaint by Westfield High Sch., Stephen Grabowski, Timothy Souza, Daniel Souza, Sharon Sitler, Paul Sitler, Dustin Cooper filed. (Answer due 4/26/03 for City of Westfield, Thomas W. Daley, Thomas Y. McDowell). Amended complaint amends [37-1] amended complaint. (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	Clearinghouse
44	April 16, 2003	Ps' Motion for S/J on each of the five counts set forth in the Second Amended Complaint - [43-1] filed. (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	RECAP
45	April 16, 2003	Ps' Memorandum in support of [44-1] motion for S/J on each of the five counts set forth in the Second Amended - [43-1] filed. (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	RECAP
46	April 16, 2003	Ps' Appendix/exhibits in support of of [44-1] motion for S/J on each of the five counts set forth in the Second Amended - [43-1], filed. (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	RECAP
	April 16, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered denying [41−1] motion to stay. Based on the filing of Ps' motion for S/J the scheduling conf. set for 4/22/2003 has been continued; cc/cl.. Terminated 4/22/2003 scheduling conf. deadline. [EOD Date 4/16/03] (mef) (Entered: 04/16/2003)	PACER
	April 16, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered denying [41-1] motion to stay. Based on the filing of Ps' motion for S/J the scheduling conf. set for 4/22/2003 has been continued; cc/cl.. Terminated 4/22/2003 scheduling conf. deadline. [EOD Date 4/16/03] (mef)
47	April 23, 2003	STIPULATION (Motion) by Thomas Y. McDowell, Thomas W. Daley, City of Westfield to ext. time to 5/07/2003 to file their opp. to the Pltfs' motion for S/J filed. (mef) (Entered: 04/24/2003)	RECAP
	April 23, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [47−1]; cc/cl. Ds' resp. to motion reset to 5/7/2003 for [44−1] motion for S/J on each of the five counts set forth in the Second Amended − [43−1] . [EOD Date 4/24/03] (mef) (Entered: 04/24/2003)	PACER
	April 23, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman . Endorsed Order entered granting [47-1]; cc/cl. Ds' resp. to motion reset to 5/7/2003 for [44-1] motion for S/J on each of the five counts set forth in the Second Amended - [43-1] . [EOD Date 4/24/03] (mef)
48	May 7, 2003	Senior Judge Frank H. Freedman. Sixty (60) Day Settlement Order of Dismissal entered by the Court; cc/cl. [EOD Date 5/7/03] (mef) (Entered: 05/07/2003)	RECAP
	May 7, 2003	Case closed. (mef)
49	May 14, 2003	Motion by ACLUM to strike non-essential portions of the [38-1] Memorandum and Order, filed. (mef) (Entered: 05/14/2003)	RECAP
50	June 2, 2003	Ptf's Opposition RESPONSE to Dft's 49 Motion to Strike portion of memo. filed by Dustin Cooper, Stephen Grabowski, Paul Sitler, Sharon Sitler, Daniel Souza. (Lindsay, Maurice) (Entered: 06/02/2003)	RECAP
	June 9, 2003	Judge Frank H. Freedman : EnsorsedORDER entered denying 49 Motion to Strike portions of [38−1] Memorandum and Order dated 3/17/2003; cc/cl. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 06/09/2003)	PACER
	June 9, 2003	Judge Frank H. Freedman : EnsorsedORDER entered denying 49 Motion to Strike portions of [38-1] Memorandum and Order dated 3/17/2003; cc/cl. (Finn, Mary)
51	June 13, 2003	STIPULATION of Dismissal by Dustin Cooper, Thomas W. Daley, Stephen Grabowski, Thomas Y. McDowell, Paul Sitler, Sharon Sitler, Daniel Souza, Timothy Souza as to defts' Daley and McDowell in their individual and official capacities. (Stuckenbruck, John) (Entered: 06/13/2003)	RECAP
52	June 13, 2003	MOTION entry of consent decree by City of Westfield, Dustin Cooper, Paul Sitler, Sharon Sitler, Daniel Souza, Timothy Souza, Westfield Public Schools.(Stuckenbruck, John) (Entered: 06/13/2003)	RECAP
53	June 16, 2003	Judge Frank H. Freedman : EndorsedORDER entered granting 52 Motion for entry of Consent Decree; cc/cl. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 06/16/2003)	RECAP
54	June 16, 2003	Judge Frank H. Freedman : ORDER entered CONSENT DECREEE entered for the Pltfs.; cc/cl.(Finn, Mary) (Entered: 06/16/2003)	Clearinghouse
	March 4, 2009	Notice of correction to docket made by Court staff. Correction: document 55 Order corrected because: document deleted due to being docketed in the incorrect case. (Finn, Mary) (Entered: 03/04/2009)	PACER
	March 4, 2009	Notice of correction to docket made by Court staff. Correction: document 55 Order corrected because: document deleted due to being docketed in the incorrect case. (Finn, Mary)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 13, 2003

Closing Date: 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Several high school students who were prohibited from distributing religious literature to fellow students during non-instructional time during the school day.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

The City of Westfield

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Establishment Clause

Freedom of speech/association

Free Exercise Clause

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 3:03-cv-30008

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Attorneys fees

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Preliminary relief granted

Amount Defendant Pays: 28,500.00

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Westfield High School L.I.F.E. Club v. Westfield Public Schools, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/13174/ (last updated 3/14/2014).