PRESS RELEASE: Saint Joseph Academy Affirms Students’ Peaceful Pro-Life Witness and Addresses False Allegations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN MARCOS, Calif. — October 21, 2026 — Saint Joseph Academy stands by its students, parent chaperones, and team members following the school’s annual pro-life day, which included an optional, peaceful prayer vigil outside the Vista Planned Parenthood clinic on Monday, October 19.
Saint Joseph Academy was founded to form faithful, courageous Christians who understand the truth and proclaim it boldly. In keeping with that mission, middle and high school students gathered to pray and to bear witness to the inherent dignity and sanctity of every human life.
Participation was entirely voluntary and required explicit parental permission. Students attended under the direct supervision of school personnel, parent chaperones, and dedicated security staff. Students did not block access to the clinic; they gathered for peaceful prayer, in accord with their rights under the Constitution of the United States.
The Academy rejects claims circulating on social media that students were forced to attend, compelled to kneel, or denied access to water. Those making such claims, or perpetuating these false claims, are participating in a false narrative. Attendance was voluntary, students were not required, or asked to kneel, and water was not denied to anyone. Participants remained in an orderly line on the back half of the public sidewalk (leaving the sidewalk accessible to the public) with their backs facing the clinic. No one was physically or visually near the clinic doors. No patients were approached or spoken to.
During the vigil, some counter-demonstrators confronted the students by playing loud music, accosted students and chaperones, filmed the students and participants,and directed shouting and profanities toward them. Students and chaperones remained calm, respectful, and focused on prayer. Videos of our students subsequently circulated on social media, accompanied by allegations that misrepresent the purpose and circumstances of the gathering. While the Academy respects freedom of speech, disagreement does not justify intimidation or verbal abuse directed at students or those supervising them as they exercised their constitutional rights. We are deeply concerned by the hostility directed toward children engaged in peaceful prayer and by the subsequent targeting of our school community.
Saint Joseph Academy remains firmly committed to the sanctity of human life, the safety and well-being of its students, and the formation of young people who live their faith with courage and charity. We stand firm in these convictions and reject any speech or actions that seek to limit our voices.
About Saint Joseph Academy
Founded in 1995, Saint Joseph Academy is an independent Catholic classical school serving students in transitional kindergarten through twelfth grade in San Marcos, California. Its mission is to form faithful, courageous Catholics who understand the truth and proclaim it boldly to the culture, affirming the dignity of every human person and encouraging students to put their faith into practice.
Media Contact
Mrs. Emily Friske
media@sjaclassical.org
760-305-8505
www.sjaclassical.org
