Contact: Finn Laursen, Christian Educators Association International, 440-250-9566

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio, June 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Mount Vernon City School District in Mount Vernon, Ohio, continues to be the center of controversy over issues of religious freedom.

John Freshwater, a 24-year veteran teacher, filed suit June 9 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, district administrators, and other parties for violations of free speech and equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. Freshwater also cited violations of Ohio public policy, religious harassment, retaliation, conspiracy, defamation, and breach of contract.

Last fall, Freshwater was suspended after a conflict over his refusal to remove his personal Bible from his desk became public. After battling months to get back into his classroom, he has turned to the courts.

This school year, public school staffers in the small community were ordered by administrators to remove all religious materials and displays from their rooms.

"I am pleased to see a public school teacher like John Freshwater willing to go outside his comfort zone and fight for the religious freedoms our forefathers guaranteed us through the U. S. Constitution," says Finn Laursen, Executive Director of Christian Educators Association International.

"I'm happy to serve someone of such high moral character as John Freshwater as a member of CEAI. John is proving to be a hero of the faith."

"It is imperative that all Christian educators, students, and parents be willing to step forward to insist on their rights, or those rights will slowly be forfeited."

(Finn Laursen is the Executive Director of CEAI, est. 1953.

To interview Finn Laursen or John Freshwater contact Doreen at 888-798-1124 or info@ceai.org)