Toledo, USA - A Christian rock band barred from playing during an anti-drug assembly at Rossford High is appealing a federal court ruling that dismissed its lawsuit against the school district.
The Rev. Mark Montgomery said at last night's Rossford Board of Education meeting he has appealed to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on behalf of the band Pawn.
The appeal came after U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary said July 31 there were "realistic and legitimate" concerns over the band's Christian religious identity and a "realistic danger" that the district could be perceived as endorsing a particular religion.
Four members of Pawn filed a suit in February, 2005, against the school district and Superintendent Luci Gernot after Ms. Gernot canceled the band's December, 2004, performance because of concerns about a potential lawsuit for promoting religion in a public school.