Alabama School District Takes Back Ban on 'Amazing Grace' Rendition at High School Football Matches

Football
An Alabama school district reversed its decision to ban rendition of "Amazing Grace" at football halftime events. |

An Alabama school district has taken back an earlier ban on the song "Amazing Grace" at high school football halftime shows.

Parents of the students and community members came out in support for the band, which made the district's Superintendent Andre' Harrison reverse the ban.

"After word of my (earlier) decision circulated, I heard from many concerned parents, and frankly I still had reservations about my initial decision. I asked counsel to do further research on this issue and present me with options that would keep the district in legal compliance, but permit performance of one of the most iconic songs in the history of our nation," he said on the official Elmore County Public Schools Facebook page.

About a week ago, the school banned the Holtville Green Machine Band Program from performing its rendition of "Amazing Grace," when an individual, whose name was not disclosed to the media, complained to the school board.

"Last week, the Elmore County School District received a complaint about the Holtville High School Band playing the hymn 'Amazing Grace' during the halftime show of the football game. The same person called the Central Office twice and questioned the constitutionality of the band playing the song," Harrison said.

The complaint had led the school to pull out the song.

"As a result of a complaint regarding Amazing Grace being played by the HHS band, we consulted our legal counsel and at their recommendation decided the band would not perform Amazing Grace. Our Constitution prohibits us from promoting religion in our educational programs and activities. While we understand the feelings of the parents who are unhappy about the decision, we have an obligation to comply with the law," the district said in an earlier press release.

However, many other school officials were not happy when the band's rendition of Amazing Grace was banned.

"It only takes one complaint to force us to remove it, but there are thousands who want to keep it," the district staff was quoted as saying in the school news.

After deliberating on the issue, the school finally permitted the playing of the song at the football matches.

"Based on that additional research, I have decided today that the band will be allowed to perform 'Amazing Grace' this fall," Harrison announced on July 24.