In Fort Worth vs. atheists, the atheists have it right | Opinion
This time, however, the atheists’ application was denied. According to Religion News Service, Fort Worth Assistant City Manager William Johnson said the atheists’ event was not of sufficient “magnitude” to qualify for the ad space.
We reached out to Johnson on Thursday, as well as Mayor Mattie Parker. As of this writing, neither has responded. A spokesperson told thereceived an emailed statement that said, “The City is aware of the lawsuit, believes that it acted appropriately and will defend its position in court.”With no other rationale emerging from City Hall, it’s easy to see this as government censorship of speech based on its content: a violation of First Amendment rights.
In fact, Johnson’s comment about “magnitude” serves as a parallel for the very reason to protect unpopular speech. According to Pew Research, about 4% of Americans identify as atheists. The number is probably lower in Tarrant County. Minority groups with unorthodox and unpopular beliefs are the very people the First Amendment is meant to protect.
Metroplex Atheists are represented by American Atheists Legal Center lawyer Geoffrey Blackwell, who told Religion News Service, “Free speech is free speech.”
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