A national organization says it is working with a Southeast Texas attorney to investigate possible religious freedoms violations in the Kountze Independent School District.
The Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group its leaders say is dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America. It has joined with Beaumont attorney David Starns to investigate what it says is Kountze ISD's censorship of religious speech on student-made banners and signs at football games.
"We are disappointed that Kountze ISD is banning student speech on banners simply because the speech is from a religious viewpoint. Such discrimination and censorship is unfortunate and illegal," said Starnes.
"Once we complete our investigation, we will take appropriate action," said Starnes.
Liberty Institute President Kelly Shackelford offered his legal team's help in the local investigation.
"These government school officials will never learn that students' religious rights are protected. We have successfully passed state laws protecting student religious speech and have won restraining orders to final judgements protecting student religious speech," said Shackelford.
