UPI: “Members of Metroplex Atheists, a north Texas organization, plan to march Saturday in downtown Fort Worth while carrying banners that advertise an upcoming seminar about the dangers of Christian nationalism.
In addition to publicizing the panel discussion — titled “Keep God Out of Our Public Schools” and scheduled for Aug. 26 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden — Metroplex Atheists leaders say the march’s purpose is to protest the denial of the nonprofit’s application to hang the banners on downtown lampposts.
The march, which is to begin at Main and East Second streets, is scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. CDT.
Fort Worth allows nonprofit groups to rent space on the light poles for banners that promote special events. Metroplex Atheists says its application met all the requirements of the banner policy, but alleges it was turned down based on the “pure pretext” that the seminar was not of a “magnitude” to qualify.
In a court brief, the city denied it violated or infringed upon the organization’s First Amendment rights. Valerie Colapret, Fort Worth communications manager, said in an email, and that the legal department does not have further comment because the city still is in litigation.”