Judge Sides With TX Cheerleaders: Ban on Bible Banners Violates Their Free Speech Rights

AUSTIN, Texas (TheBlaze/AP) -- A judge says an East Texas school district policy barring cheerleaders from quoting biblical scripture on banners at high school football games appears to violate their free speech rights.

KFDM television in Beaumont reports that District Judge Steve Thomas issued an injunction allowing the Kountze (KOONTZ) High School cheerleaders to continue displaying such banners pending the outcome of a lawsuit about the matter. He previously granted a temporary restraining order allowing the practice to continue. The trial date has been set for June 24, 2013.

In this Sept. 19, 2012 file photo, Kountze High School cheerleaders and other children work on a large sign in Kountze, Texas. (AP Photo/The Beaumont Enterprise, Dave Ryan, File)

The school district ordered the cheerleaders to stop quoting Bible verses after receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The group says it received a complaint from an atheist attending a game who felt the school was promoting Christianity.

Republican Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott have backed the cheerleaders.

This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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Related:

• Judge to Rule Today on Atheist Push to Ban TX Cheerleaders’ Bible Banners
• Texas Attorney General Announces He’ll Defend Cheerleaders’ Right to Use Bible Verses at Games
• Christian Cheerleaders Granted Temporary Restraining Order in Atheist-Led Battle Over Bible Verses at Football Games
• War on Football: TX School District Bans Christian Banners at Football Games