A federal judge has awarded $150,000 in damages and legal fees to Mariyah Green, a former student of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), on the grounds of constitutional religious rights violations.
Green, represented by attorney John Mauck, contested that she was compelled to partake in what she believed to be “Hinduistic rituals” through the school’s Quiet Time meditation program, which clashed with her Christian faith.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly’s decision favored Green’s claims that the program exerted pressure on her to engage in activities against her religious convictions, including an initiation ceremony that paid homage to Hindu deities.
The Quiet Time program, developed by the David Lynch Foundation and implemented at Bogan High School, aimed to decrease stress levels and improve academic and behavioral outcomes.
According to her attorney, the Quiet Time program required students to perform actions akin to worshipping Hindu idols, a direct contradiction to Green’s dedication to her Christian beliefs.
Although CPS ceased the program in 2020, the district maintains that the Quiet Time initiative did not infringe on any student’s constitutional rights.
A CPS spokesperson highlighted that the ruling came from a “voluntary resolution between the parties akin to a settlement” and emphasized that the district neither admits liability nor has there been any judicial or jury finding of liability against Quiet Time.
The lawsuit also named the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation as defendants, with each held responsible for half of the settlement amount.
While the foundation did not respond to requests for comment, its website continues to advocate for the benefits of the meditation program.
Allegations raised by Green described the Transcendental Meditation program’s use of a “Puja” ceremony, chanting in Sanskrit, and references to Hindu deities during school hours, which were not explained to the students.
Her dissent went unheard, leading to a feeling of isolation and frustration when she was reminded to meditate.
With her court victory, Green, who graduated in 2020, has brought attention to the serious constitutional issues involved in the case. Her attorney expressed gratitude towards the court for recognizing the breach of religious rights and for holding the responsible parties accountable.