(AgapePress) - - Eight Virginia public school districts are being accused of taking part in an illegal boycott against a Christian school and its sports teams. The private academy, which was founded by Dr. Jerry Falwell and Thomas Road Baptist Church, is prepared to sue if the other schools refuse to play fair.For several decades now, Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) in Lynchburg, Virginia, has taken part in athletic competitions, training camps, and other activities along with student athletic teams of high schools in the city and within eight area counties. However, if the public school districts have their way, all that is going to change. Recently, as LCA prepared for the upcoming academic year's sports seasons, the athletic departments of the eight districts informed the private academy that its players are no longer welcome and will not be allowed to participate in any of the coming year's sports activities. In other words, the Christian school was excluded from taking part in all athletic events on the schedules of any high school in the eight districts, any Altavista Team Camp events, and any "open" league activities in any sport. According to Liberty Counsel, the school's legal representative, the illegal boycott started with a school in one district whose administrators were upset with LCA's winning record in a number of sports. According to the legal group's information, that district influenced and conspired with others to boycott LCA jointly. And now, Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver observes, a lawsuit may have to be filed to address the matter. LCA and its supporters would certainly prefer to compete with the eight districts, primarily, on the playing field, Staver notes. "But we will compete with them in the courtroom if necessary," he says. "We want to first resolve this amicably if possible; but if not, we will resort to any legal recourse available." There is a lot at stake in this dispute, the pro-family attorney points out. He says the boycott means LCA will not have the opportunity to play in any competitions to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network, the classic competition in which the school played just a year ago, thereby raising $9,300 for needy children. "So this anti-competitive, illegal boycott is hurting not only the students and the families of Liberty Christian Academy," Staver explains. "It's also now hurting charities that benefit from funds raised by some of these off-season competitions." It is sad, the Liberty Counsel spokesman remarks, when public school athletic directors "illegally conspire to injure a Christian academy, its students, and other charitable programs designed to help needy children." Not only do these actions hurt the students and limit their scholarship opportunities, but they also deny the Christian school's fan base a number of big games and traditional match-ups. Furthermore, Staver emphasizes, the eight Virginia school districts participating in the boycott against LCA violate both state and federal law. He says Liberty Counsel has sent a demand letter to these districts, urging them to cease their unlawful actions and work together for the good of the community instead. If the boycott does not end immediately, the attorney adds, Liberty Counsel will file suit. Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
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