Judge Rules for Cheerleaders in Bible Banner Suit

HOUSTON (AP) _ A judge has ruled that cheerleaders at a Southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games.

State District Judge Steve Thomas ruled Wednesday the Kountze High School cheerleaders’ banners are constitutionally permissible. In a copy of the ruling obtained by Beaumont station KFDM, Thomas determined that no law “prohibits cheerleaders from using religious-themed banners at school sporting events.”

The ruling ends the case in Thomas’ court. A lawsuit over the banners had been scheduled for trial June 24.

In October, Thomas granted an injunction requested by the cheerleaders allowing them to continue displaying religious-themed banners pending the lawsuit’s outcome. Thomas at the time said the school district’s ban on the practice appeared to violate free speech rights.

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