Church banner banned from public school grounds (July 1, 2013)

The Freedom From Religion Foundation helped remove a church banner located on public school grounds in Moreno Valley, Calif.

A concerned local resident contacted FFRF after noticing the church's banner remained on school property 24/7 even though the church only rents the school's facilities on Sundays.

FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a letter to Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent Judy White in a June 24 letter asking the banner be removed from Townsgate Elementary School when the church is not renting the premise.

Seidel said allowing the banner to be permanently displayed on school grounds violated the obligation public schools have to remain neutral toward religion.

The district's legal counsel responded to FFRF in a July 1 letter that the banner was removed from school property.