A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit to proceed against a Florida school board over its refusal to display banners with the message “Satan Loves the First Amendment” at two schools.
Activist Timothy “Chaz” Stevens, a minister of The Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soiree, filed the lawsuit against the Broward County School Board, alleging that the board’s rejection of his banner request violated his First Amendment rights and two Florida laws.
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Stevens sought to display the banners at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and West Glades Middle School in October 2023. The school board denied his requests despite allowing other religious organizations to display banners at schools in the district.
U.S. District Judge Robert Scola ruled Thursday that Stevens can pursue his First Amendment claim and a claim under the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The judge’s order noted that the school board had allowed banners from groups like Calvary Chapel and Potter’s House at other schools, suggesting potential “unequal treatment” in Stevens’ case.
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The lawsuit argues that the school board engaged in viewpoint discrimination by allowing banners with religious messages from Christian groups while denying Stevens’ banner, which also conveys a message related to religion and the First Amendment.
The case is scheduled to go to trial on March 10th.
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