'Prayer Protest' Held at Hernando Football Game

HERNANDO, Miss. - Hundreds were pumped up, praying, and praising before the Hernando High School football game Friday night. They turned out to bow their heads in prayer after an atheist group demanded the school prohibit prayer at schools, a federal law.

The Wisconsin-based group Freedom from Religion said they got a complaint that the Desoto County school district was not obeying laws surrounding prayer. Friday night, parents and students said they were "fighting for Jesus."

There were hundreds of signs pledging allegiance to Christianity as a crowd surrounded the flag pole.

Despite Supreme Court decisions regarding prayer in schools, Friday was first time the school district did not pray over the PA system before kick-off.

Monday, the school board made the decision to enforce policies on school prayer after receiving a letter from Freedom from Religion, demanding they cease school prayers before sporting events. The group stated, "if you are in the band, a football player... you should not be subjected to a religious ritual."

Students professed their beliefs through scribbled personal notes on cardboard and even shaved heads. To those offended by their bowed heads, they said "if you don't like it, leave. It's okay."

While policies state they cannot pray in the stadium or over the PA system, they said they plan to meet at the flag pole before every home game to pray.