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Man Not Allowed To Distribute Bibles At Pride Fest

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- A Wisconsin man will not be allowed to hand out Bibles at the upcoming Twin Cities Pride festival.

On Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis denied Brian Johnson's request for an injunction that would force the Minneapolis parks board to allow him unrestricted access to festival grounds.

Instead, the judge's ruling said Johnson can hand out Bibles at a booth just outside of Loring Park, where the festival is being held.

Johnson, of Hayward, Wis., contends he has distributed Bibles at the annual event since 1995 and that he had no problems until 2009, when the organization refused to rent him a booth.

According to Johnson's attorney, Nate Kellum with the Center for Religious Expression, Johnson may be exploring other legal options.

This year is the 40th annual Pride fest.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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