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Jessica Ahlquist
Speaking at the Reason Rally 2012]
Born (1995-06-21) June 21, 1995 (age 29)
NationalityUSA
OccupationStudent
Known forSecular activism
Websitewww.jessicaahlquist.com

Jessica Ahlquist (born June 21, 1995) is a student at public high school Cranston High School West, outspoken atheist, American civil liberties campaigner and LGBT rights activist.

Cranston High School West court case

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Main article: Ahlquist v. Cranston

Ahlquist is best known as a plaintiff in the case Ahlquist v. Cranston, a lawsuit she succesfully filed again Cranston High School West, with the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union.[1][2][3]. In July 2010, Ahlquist informed the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union about a mural addressed to "Our Heavenly Father" that was displayed in the auditorium of her school. Ahlquist says the banner made her feel "ostracized and out of place." [4] The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the "school prayer" banner was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution and ordered its immediate removal.

On February 16, 2012, the Cranston School Committee decided not to appeal by a 5-2 vote.[5] The banner was removed, intact, during the first weekend in March, and the school and city agreed to pay the ACLU $150,000 in legal fees.[6]

Reception

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At the hearing, conservative Christian U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Rene Lagueux remarked that Ahlquist "is clearly an articulate and courageous young woman, who took a brave stand, particularly in light of the hostile response she has received from her community".[7]

Religious leaders from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches rallied to condemn the language used to describe Ahlquist.[8] The organization's executive minister, Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson attended Cranston West when the banner went up; he supported Judge Lagueux’s decision.[9]

On the day following the ruling, Rhode Island State Representative Peter G. Palumbo spoke on a local radio show and referred to Ahlquist as "an evil little thing".[10][11] While the supporters of the banner raised funds for the preservation of the banner in the event of its ordered removal by selling t-shirts with the banner's full text, on initiative of Blogger blogger Hemant Mehta, Ahlquist's supporters raised funds with Evil little thing t-shirts, the proceeds going to a college education fund established for her.[12][13] The fund raised $62,618[14] which was presented to her at the Reason Rally on March 24, 2012, where she was an invited speaker.[15][16]

When Wisconsin based freethought organization Freedom From Religion Foundation wanted to send Ahlquist roses, three seperate florists denied the request.[17] The group has filed a complaint with Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights and given Ahlquist $13,000 from support and scholarship funds.[10]

Upon learning of the results of the case, some residents of Cranston, and others opposed to the decision and to Ahlquist's atheism, took their anger out on her on Twitter and Facebook.[18] Police involvement has increased, both escorting Ahlquist to classes[19] and investigating threats, mostly originating in Cranston.[3] An unnamed student was disciplined by the school because of threats.[10][20]

LGBT equality

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Ahlquist has used her new found notoriety to also speak out for LGBT issues in conjunction with Marriage Equality Rhode Island, a group dedicated to establishing same-sex marriage as the law in her state. She has begun to work with the Secular Student Alliance to form a humanist/atheist student group in her school. [21]

Threat letter

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On February 17 2012, one day after the school board's decission not to appeal to the judge's decission, Ahlquist received a handwritten letter by email. She initially posted a photograph of the letter via her public Twitter account on April 11, 2012, but removed it the same day on directions of the police.[22] The full text of the letter (poor grammar and spelling copied from the original) reads:

The threat is currently under police investigation.[23][24][25][26]

Christian website ChristWire reported that Ahlquist blames the threat on Christians, although their source for this statement is unknown. In the same article ChristWire calls Ahlquist an "arrogant and proud devil worshiper".[27]

Woonsocket memorial cross

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There is an ongoing debate about the possible removal of a veterals memorial cross in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Ahlquist, who was initially accused by some of having involvement, was unaware of the debate. After reviewing the case, she announced she supports the removal of the memorial.[28][29][30]

Personal life

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Jessica is the daughter of firefighter Mark Ahlquist and a nurse.[10] She is also the niece of Steve Ahlquist[31] who did an hour long interview with Jessica in episode #03 of his Philosophy On the Ground series on Youtube.[32] Ahlquist has been raised religious, but after her mother got sick, she’d begun to identify as atheist. She rejected the God she felt had abandoned her.[33] She describes herself as "a nerd" who loves Harry Potter and Facebook.[34] When asked if the court case inspired her to get into law, she reponded that she's going to study communications in college, but law might be her future.[35]

Media, appearances, awards

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Despite her young age, Ahlquist is frequently invited to speak at secularist and atheism oriented events and shows, spanning at least five US states and international media. John Figdor of the Secular Student Alliance stated "she's a role model to so many young people".[36] JT Eberhard of the same organisation called for nominating Ahlquist for the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal.[37] Singer Meat Loaf however, has criticized Ahlquist stating "Jessica Ahlquist is what’s wrong with America".[38]

Ahlquist is a frequent and popular guest on Freethought RI, a weekly radio show produced by the RI Atheist Society.[21] On June 25, 2011 she was a speaker at Center for Inquiry transnational in Amherst, New York and on February 6, 2012 in Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, Arizona, professor Richard Dawkins specifically discussed the threats Jessica Ahlquist had been receiving.[39][40] On August 16, 2011, she finished first place among the 2011 Best High School Individual Activist Award Winners, organized by the Secular Student Alliance.[41] On October 8, 2011, the Freedom From Religion Foundation awarded her the 2011 Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist.[42]

On Februari 21, 2012, Ahlquist was interviewed live on CNN about the Cranston case.[43][44] Ahlquist spoke at Moving Secularism Forward: Council for Secular Humanism Conference 2012, (March 1–4, 2012) in Orlando, Florida.[45] She was invited as a speaker at the Reason Rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2012, the largest gathering of atheists in history, alongside Richard Dawkins, Adam Savage, Eddie Izzard, Paul Provenza, PZ Myers, Dan Barker and James Randi. She was introduced as the Joan of Arc of secularism. [46][47] On April 26 2012, Ana Kasparian and John Iadarola discussed the hatemail at Ahlquist's address in TYTUniversity, a spin-off from The Young Turks.[48][49][50]

The American Humanist Association has chosen Ahlquist to offer her the 2012 Humanist Pioneer Award, which will be awarded to her on June 9, 2012 at the 71st annual American Humanist Association conference in New Orleans.[51][52]

External resources

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References

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  1. ^ Winston, Kimberly (January 14, 2012). "Jessica Ahlquist, Teenage Atheist, Wins Case To Remove Prayer Banner From Cranston High School". The Huffington Post.
  2. ^ Schieldrop, Mark (January 13, 2012). "Police, School Officials Investigating Online Prayer Case Reaction for Cyberbullying". Cranston Patch.
  3. ^ a b "Threats against RI atheist teen being investigated". Boston Globe. January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  4. ^ "Rhode Island Teen Atheist Gets $40K Scholarship" By COLLEEN CURRY, abcnews.go.com, Feb. 20, 2012 [1]
  5. ^ Crimaldi, Laura (February 17, 2012). "Cranston Votes Not to Appeal Prayer Banner Case". ABC News. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  6. ^ "Cranston agrees to pay ACLU $150,000 in legal fees, ending prayer-banner fight". Providence Journal. March 6, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  7. ^ "Victory for Jessica Ahlquist and the Constitution" bigthink, By Adam Lee, January 12, 2012 [2]
  8. ^ Smith, Matt; Sotnik, Kathryn (January 24, 2012). "Religious group defends Ahlquist". WPRI.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  9. ^ Kalunian, Kim (January 19, 2012). "Council of Churches leader supports removal of prayer banner". Warwick Beacon. Beacon Communications. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d Goodnough, Abby (January 26, 2012). "Student Faces Town's Wrath in Protest Against a Prayer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 26, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ NewsTalk 630 WPRO & 99.7 FM (January 12, 2012). "Palumbo calls Cranston student "Evil Little Thing"". John DePetro Show. WPRO. Retrieved January 27, 2012. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |began= ignored (|date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ DeQuattro, Dee (January 24, 2012). "Rival shirts go on sale amidst the banner controversy". WPRO News. WPRO 630AM 99.7FM. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  13. ^ Schieldrop, Mark (January 27, 2012). "As Committee Nears Appeal Decision, Banner Saga Reaches New York Times". Cranston Patch. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  14. ^ "Jessica Ahlquist Scholarship Check" Reason Rally March 24, 2012 [3]
  15. ^ "Reason Rally Official Schedule".
  16. ^ "Atheists raise $63K for student in RI prayer flap". BostonGlobe.com. NY Times. Associated Press. March 26, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  17. ^ Paul Davis (January 19, 2012). "Florist found in Connecticut to deliver roses to Cranston West prayer banner opponent / Poll". Providence Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2012. After florists in Cranston and Warwick refused, a Connecticut florist agreed to deliver the flowers.
  18. ^ Schieldrop, Mark (16 January 2012). "Ahlquist: Fight over Mural, Despite Harrassment, Threats, "Worth It."". patch.com. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  19. ^ Ng, Christina (January 18, 2012). "Rhode Island Teen's Battle Against Prayer Banner Has Gone 'Too Far,' Mayor Says". ABC News. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  20. ^ Armental, Maria (January 16, 2012). "Cranston student disciplined over comments against fellow student in prayer banner case; student walkout thwarted Friday". Providence Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "2011 Annual Conference Speakers", Secular Student Alliance [4]
  22. ^ "Prayer Banner Teen Responds To Threatening Letter", ABC6 By Abbey Niezgoda, Apr 13 2012 [5]
  23. ^ "Why Is an Atheist High School Student Getting Vicious Death Threats?" [6]
  24. ^ "Ahlquist Family Told to Get out of RI in Threatening Letter" [7]
  25. ^ "Look what Jessica Ahlquist just got in the mail", FreeThoughtBlogs [8]
  26. ^ "Cranston police investigate threats to student who sued over Cranston West prayer banner" [9] April 12, 2012 by Maria Armental
  27. ^ "16 Year Old Atheist Jessica Ahlquist Receives Terrorist Threat Blames Christians!", ChristWire, April 12, 2012 [10]
  28. ^ Teen Atheist Behind Prayer Mural Ban Wants Contentious WWI & WWII Cross Removed, The Blaze, Retrieved 2012-06-02
  29. ^ Jessica Ahlquist Supports Removal of Cross Memorial, Gather, Retrieved 2012-06-02
  30. ^ Cranston teen atheist speaks out against Woonsocket veterans memorial, WLNE-TV, Retrieved 2012-06-02
  31. ^ "My niece Jessica was on the front page again." Steve, Ahlquist. "The personal blog of Steve Ahlquist, writer, artist and Humanist". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  32. ^ "Philosophy On the Ground 03 Jessica Ahlquist", YouTube by Steve Alquist, Mar 31, 2011 [11]
  33. ^ "High school and its discontents" Boston Articles, By Alyssa Giacobbe, February 26, 2012 http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-26/magazine/31094166_1_banner-school-prayer-school-board
  34. ^ Student Faces Town’s Wrath in Protest Against a Prayer [12]
  35. ^ "John Howell interview, Beacon Communications" Jan 16, 2012 [13]
  36. ^ "Jessica Ahlquist, Atheist, Receives Threats Over Prayer Banner Ruling; School Board May Appeal", January 28, 2012, Huffington Post [14]
  37. ^ "Let Obama know about Jessica Ahlquist", April 18, 2012 by JT Eberhard [15]
  38. ^ "Meat Loaf Says Jessica Ahlquist is What’s Wrong with America", On Patheos by Hemant Mehta, March 23, 2012 [16]
  39. ^ Secular Coalition for Arizona. "Dawkins, Faircloth, Cornwell, "A Secular Society Worth Saving: The Role of Religion & Secularism in Public Policy"". Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  40. ^ "Dawkins On Atheist Teen Getting Death Threats (Feb 6, 2012)", YouTube [17]
  41. ^ http://www.secularstudents.org/node/3906
  42. ^ http://ffrf.org/outreach/awards/student-activist-awards/jessica-ahlquist-thomas-jefferson-youth-activist/
  43. ^ Jessica "Evil Little Thing" Ahlquist on CNN, Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science [18]
  44. ^ "STARTING POINT WITH SOLEDAD O'BRIEN", CNN transcripts February 21, 2012 [19]
  45. ^ "Speakers include Stephen Law | Ophelia Benson | Daniel C. Dennett | Jessica Ahlquist | Pz Myers | Sikivu Hutchinson | Russell Blackford | Elisabeth Cornwell | Steven K. Green | George Hrab | Sir Harold Kroto | Rita Swan | and more!" [20]
  46. ^ Aratani, Lori, " 'Godless Rally' in D.C. for Recognition and Respect", The Washington Post, C1, C10; Sunday, March 25, 2012.
  47. ^ "Reason Rally - About". Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  48. ^ http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/04/26/tyt-university-hosts-talk-about-the-jessica-ahlquist-hatemail/
  49. ^ http://apocalisselaica.net/news/usa-canada/tyt-university-hosts-talk-about-the-jessica-ahlquist-hatemail
  50. ^ http://coffeelovingskeptic.com/?p=1504
  51. ^ "2012 Humanist Awardees" American Humanist Association Annual Conference [21]
  52. ^ Teen Atheist Who Brought Down Prayer Banner Wins Humanist Award, The Christian Post, Retrieved 2012-06-03
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