The University of California, Los Angeles, will allow a Christian student’s graduation statement to mention Jesus, thanks to a letter from the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).
The Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology Department collected short statements from graduating students to be read as they cross the stage June 13. Christina Popa was told she could not mention Jesus in her statement. On Friday, the university changed its mind.
“Christian students are entitled to the same rights as all other students,” said Heather Gebelin Hacker, litigation staff counsel for ADF. “We are pleased that UCLA officials understand that denying religious liberty to students is a violation of the First Amendment. We commend UCLA for acting quickly to protect Ms. Popa’s constitutional rights.”
