Sean Green
Bossier Press-Tribune
On the day of a high school football game, the attention has turned from sport to legal matters.
Christ Fit Gym, a Christian faith-based nonprofit gym in Bossier City, has filed a restraining order in state court after Benton High School allegedly told students to remove the gym’s logo.
According to a post on Christ Fit Gym’s Facebook page, a group of students were instructed to paint over the gym’s logo, which includes a cross and Bible verse, in the field’s end zone at Benton High School’s football stadium. However, they refused.
“You have to stand up for Christ no matter what,” said the post. “We ended up leaving the field and not helping them cover up the scripture that was put on the field.”
Bossier Schools legal counsel said in a statement to local media that the logo was challenged by counsel for the plaintiffs in a pending federal lawsuit alleging improper endorsement of religion in schools.
The School Board’s legal counsel advised administration that the logo should be removed pending consultation with the court.
The temporary injunction shows the gym paid $3,500 to have it on the field for the 2018-19 season.
The filing, which was approved Friday, prevents anyone from removing the sign for any purpose.
The Bossier Parish School Board was reportedly unaware of the logo and has not discussed the issue. They were also not named as a defendant in the restraining order.
