Judge: School prayer banner must go

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A judge has ordered a prayer mural, that has been in Cranston West High School for decades, to be taken down immediately.

City officials have 10 days to respond to the ruling, and haven't decided yet whether to abide by the decision or pay the legal fees to appeal.

• Update: Teen atheist responds to ruling
• Related: Text of Cranston West Prayer Banner

Cranston city officials and the Rhode Island ACLU have been arguing over the banner that's hung in the auditorium for decades.

It began when teenage student, Jessica Ahlquist, an atheist sued the city and Cranston school officials, demanding they remove the prayer mural because she felt it promotes a particular religion.

City officials however, claimed it was an historical artifact and serves no religious purpose.

Last April, Jessica Ahlquist said this about the banner.

"I'm an atheist and I don't believe in the heavenly father and I wouldn't like to see that posted on a wall in my school."

The ACLU says the prayer violates the first amendment, pointing to Supreme Court decisions over the separation of church and state, as well as the Cranston School District's policy which states that "the proper setting for religious observance is the home and the place of worship."

The banner has been hanging in the auditorium for nearly 50 years, after being written by a student. It contains reference to "Heavenly Father" and ends with "Amen."

The banner could be taken down as early as next week.

The Rhode Island ACLU said it will hold a news conference about the ruling Thursday at 9:30 a.m.