Federal Court Rules Against Newsom’s Private School Restriction

Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Center for American Liberty

The U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on Friday that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 restriction barring private schools from in-person classes is unconstitutional. However, the court upheld barring public school in-person classes during the pandemic.

The Center for American Liberty and 20 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in July of 2020 challenging Newsom’s closing of all in-person classes for schools. They contended he overstepped his authority and acted illegally but denying parents control over their children’s education, reported the Epoch Times. “California’s forced closure of their private schools implicates a right that has long been considered fundamental under the applicable caselaw—the right of parents to control their children’s education and to those their children’s educational forum,” Judge Daniel Collins ruled.

Harmeet Dhillon, the head of the Center for American Liberty, said, “While we are thrilled for our clients whose rights are vindicated by today’s decision, we are disappointed the Ninth Circuit did not rule that all students, including those in public school, have a basic right to an education. We will continue to advocate for the educational rights of all students.”