HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A Lake County school district is being sued over prayers that are said before athletic events, graduations and school board meetings.

Parents Jim and Nichole Bellar say the prayers at events in the River Forest Community School Corp. in Hobart violate the First Amendment and want them barred.

American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana attorney Gavin Rose tells The (Munster) Times the prayers represent a “serious and flagrant affront” to the First Amendment.

The Bellars say their son has participated on several teams and objects to coach-led sectarian prayers said before the games. They also object to prayers before or during school board meetings and at graduation.

They say their son has felt ostracized by the prayers.

School officials didn’t respond to a request for comment.