MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Satanic Temple, the sponsor of the After School Satan Club (ASSC), filed to sue Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) on Tuesday, saying the school has been discriminating against the club and violating the First Amendment.
According to court records, the organization said the district is going against the First Amendment by charging the club with “unexpected and exorbitant security fees” that other similar organizations have not been charged and issuing higher club rental fees.
The Satanic Temple also said MSCS is attempting to block ASSC meetings at Chimneyrock Elementary School and hindering the organization's rights. The organization is now seeking fair treatment.
ABC24 has reached out to MSCS for comments regarding the complaint.
Parents across the city were outraged when they heard about the club and questioned why the district and school allowed them to rent the space.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) had addressed the controversy in December before the After School Satan Club began meeting at Chimneyrock Elementary School in January 2024.
MSCS General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Odell Horton Jr., said the Satanic Temple is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and it followed the correct protocol through the district’s Facilitron system.
"The district does not discriminate against any legitimate non-profit group based on religion or beliefs," Horton said. "This entity also falls within our policy that it's able to rent space.”
Last year, June Everett with the After School Satan Club said their goal is not to convert children to Satanism. Instead, she said they teach the student science, critical thinking, creative arts and good works for the community.
“We do a lot of community projects," Everett said. "We do a lot of STEAM-type activities. Science based activities. And at the end of the day, we have decided not to teach about Satan.”
This is a developing story.