A federal judge delivered a major victory for the religious freedom of students when he ordered a Washington school to erase the suspension records of a student who preached at school.

Cascade High School senior Michael Leal had been suspended by the school three times last October saying that his handing out of Gospel literature and preaching violated school policy.  The school told him that if he continued his actions he would be expelled for causing a “disruption” on campus.

The Pacific Justice Institute stepped in after the third suspension to defend Leal’s rights.  Now, a federal judge says the school was wrong.

“Plaintiff’s suspensions on October 2, 9, and 31, 2014, are vacated. Defendant shall remove the Notices of Disciplinary Action or Short Term Suspension dated October 2, 9, and 31, 2014, from his record,” US District Court Judge Thomas Zilly wrote in his decision and awarded Leal $1 as nominal damage.

The judge also declared the school’s policy against non-student written handouts unconstitutional.

“Defendant is hereby enjoined from enforcing the requirement that materials be ‘written and/or produced by students.’ That language is severed from the Policy and Procedure of the Everett Public Schools,” the court ordered.

The school now has a “free speech zone” where students can express views.

“Everyone needs to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s absolutely necessary,” Leal said.  He is scheduled to graduate on June 10th.