January 13, 2026
San Antonio is fighting an attempt by two Native American church members to win a Fifth Circuit rehearing in a case over plans to restore a municipal park, saying a panel of the appeals court broke no new ground in its December opinion that would merit another look.
December 16, 2025
A Fifth Circuit panel won't block the restoration of a San Antonio park over two Native American church members' objections, saying there is no evidence to support their claims that the Texas city refused to try to accommodate their religious practices.
August 28, 2025
Two members of a Native American church are asking the Fifth Circuit to rehear its appeal, which looks to block the restoration of a San Antonio park, saying that if left uncorrected, the opinion will leave religious believers vulnerable and sow confusion among district courts.
August 15, 2025
The Fifth Circuit has upheld a lower court order saying a San Antonio park has legitimate public safety issues that allow the city to implement a tree removal plan and rookery management measures while also giving tribal members access to a disputed area for religious ceremonies.
June 20, 2025
The city of San Antonio has asked the Fifth Circuit to lift a stay on a tribal appeal after the Texas Supreme Court answered a question about a state law addressing religious practices, arguing that the high court's opinion rules out two Native Americans' claims.
June 16, 2025
A law forbidding Texas from enacting rules to curtail certain religious services does not extend to its preservation and management of publicly owned lands, the state Supreme Court said, weighing in on a Fifth Circuit dispute between Native American church members and the city of San Antonio over access to a local park.
December 04, 2024
The city of San Antonio hit back Wednesday at Native American church members' reliance on a Texas constitutional amendment banning limitations on religious services, telling the Texas Supreme Court that the amendment must be viewed in the context of COVID-19 restrictions.
November 01, 2024
A Texas Supreme Court justice released a statement Friday saying the court should have granted First Liberty Institute's request for five minutes to argue its position in a case about religious freedom under the Lone Star State's constitution, saying help from an amici would be "sensible and advisable."
September 06, 2024
The Texas Supreme Court agreed Friday to answer a question from the Fifth Circuit about religious freedom under the Lone Star State's constitution to aid the federal appellate court in resolving a dispute between Native American church members and San Antonio over access to a local park.
April 12, 2024
The Fifth Circuit has upheld a lower court's decision ordering the city of San Antonio to allow Native American church members access to a park under renovation for religious ceremonies but declined to enjoin the city's planned tree removal and bird deterrence program.