Galveston school claims religious exemption from 'KKK origami' lawsuit

A Galveston-area private school is claiming religious exepmtion in a lawsuit brought by student who claims to have been given so-called "KKK origami" by school bullies

Click through to see the hate groups that are on the rise in the state of Texas... less A Galveston-area private school is claiming religious exepmtion in a lawsuit brought by student who claims to have been given so-called "KKK origami" by school bullies

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A Galveston school is claiming a religious exemption from a lawsuit alleging that an African-American child was subjected to racist bullying that involved so-called "KKK origami."

In an Aug. 1 filing in state district court, attorneys for Trinity Episcopal School argue that the lawsuit must be dismissed because of "broad protections for the free exercise of religion" in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"As a religious institution, Trinity has a constitutionally protected freedom to make decisions regarding the discipline of its students without judicial interference," states the filing, first reported by the Galveston County Daily News.

The suit was filed in May against Trinity; its headmaster, the Rev. David Dearman; and the parents of three students alleged to have been responsible for the bullying.

Among other acts, the lawsuit says the students handed origami that resembled a Ku Klux Klan member's hood to the boy and claimed their parents were affiliated with the organization. The boy was enrolled at Trinity from 2014 to 2016.

Because of the bullying, the lawsuit states, the child experienced depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Trinity's response states that the lawsuit asks the court to review disciplinary decisions taken by the school in response to complaints by the child's mother. Because of the Constitution's protections on the practice of religion, however, "the courts cannot second-guess these decisions, even in the guise of purportedly 'secular' causes of action arising from tort principles," the filing states.

The case is being heard by state District Judge Michelle Slaughter.