In 1923, Oregon passed the Compulsory Education Act – a Ku Klux Klan-backed bill that would have required all children between 8 and 16 to attend public schools. The law posed an existential threat to Catholic schools and triggered a nationwide debate over parental rights, religious freedom, and state power. Backed by the Knights of Columbus financial and moral support, the lawsuit against the bill reached the Supreme court in 1924, and on June 1, 1925, the justices unanimously struck down the law. In the decades that followed, the decision would be cited in more than 100 Supreme Court opinions, including cases improving public transportation for religious schools, equitable federal funding for all schools, and allowing parental rights for school-of-choice without economic barriers.
The Knights of Columbus stand for the rights of religious freedom yet today. We are over two million strong worldwide, but more importantly, we are likely on either side of you in the pew at mass. Come join the fraternity that’s made a difference for more than 100 years.
The first year costs are waived with an easy online application. Go to KofC.org/join and use the code CHRISA
Bryan Born, Grand Knight
Available anytime: (248) 891-9118
