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The Broward County School Board faces legal action after Timothy “Chaz” Stevens filed a motion in federal court demanding the right to display his “Satan Loves the First Amendment” banner at several local schools.

Stevens, a Reverand, claims the board violated his constitutional rights by allowing Christian banners while rejecting his display request.

The lawsuit, which the school board transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, argues that the board’s actions amount to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

A lifelong First Amendment activist, Stevens successfully ended religious invocations at Coral Springs city commission meetings, Dania Beach, North Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, and Delray Beach. He has started a crowdsourcing campaign to help defer costs.

“My work, banning the Bible across Florida, led to DeSantis curbing the law while “blaming” me—cost me two years and about $40,000 of personal funds,” he told Talk Media.

Representing himself in the case, Stevens alleges that the district permitted banners from religious organizations like Calvary Chapel, Potter’s House, and The Pentecostals of Cooper City to be prominently displayed at schools, including Coral Springs High, Cooper City High, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.

"Satan Loves the First Amendment": Activist Sues Broward Schools Over Alleged Religious Bias

Banner in front of Cooper City High School {Chaz Stevens}

He alleges that his request to display a similar banner was denied without valid justification, highlighting what he describes as an unfair and inconsistent application of school district policies.

Stevens contends that rejecting his banner infringes his First Amendment rights and violates the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

From Stevens’ pleading, ‘The Church of Satanology considers public displays, such as banners, a core religious practice akin to the display of crosses or menorahs. Denying Plaintiff access to this form of expression prohibits him from fulfilling a central tenet of his faith.’

a church advertisement at Marjory Stoneman Douglas was recently removed after pressure from Stevens. {Chaz Stevens}

By permitting banners from certain groups, Stevens argues, the school district created a public forum that legally obligates them to treat all viewpoints with neutrality.

Stevens’ lawsuit cites the 2022 Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. City of Boston, which affirmed that religious viewpoints cannot be excluded from public forums once they are opened for such speech. Stevens argues that by allowing other religious organizations to advertise in Broward schools while rejecting his requests, the district engaged in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

To support his case, Stevens points to instances where banners from Christian organizations were displayed, contrasting with the outright denial of his request.

He argues that the district’s selective enforcement of its policies privileges certain religious perspectives while suppressing others, violating constitutional principles of free speech and equal treatment.

Religious advertisement at Coral Springs High School. {Chaz Stevens}

As part of his request for a Temporary Restraining Order, Stevens is asking the court to mandate the removal of all religious banners from public school properties within five days. Additionally, he seeks the implementation of a viewpoint-neutral policy for public forums and access to records detailing banner approvals and removals.

To succeed, Stevens must convince the court that his claims are likely to prevail on their merits, that he will suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, and that granting the order serves the public interest by protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fairness in public spaces.

In his motion, Stevens wrote, “These actions marginalize Plaintiff’s religious beliefs, suppress minority viewpoints, and signal to the community that certain religious perspectives are favored over others. The presence of religious banners sends a divisive message to students and families, alienating those of minority or non-religious backgrounds.”

When discussing his media outreach, Stevens often hears a dismissive remark: “Anyone can file a lawsuit.” However, he counters, “Sure—but only those who’ve done it know it’s no casual feat. It’s a test of resolve, evidence, and legal acumen.”

Filing and managing a federal lawsuit as a pro se litigant is notoriously challenging. Stevens admits, “It’s seriously daunting—mastering complex procedural rules, drafting sound pleadings, and adhering to strict deadlines, all while presenting arguments that can withstand judicial scrutiny. The Court generally dislikes pro se litigants, and it shows.”

He reflects on the difficulties, recalling Senior Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr.’s warning: “Although the Court is mindful that the Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and affords him some degree of latitude based on that status, he must nonetheless abide by the Court’s rules.” Without legal training, navigating federal statutes, case law, and local court rules feels, as Stevens describes, like “learning a new language under pressure.”

The Broward County School Board has not commented publicly on the lawsuit. View the full motion here.

Temporary restraining order

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.