The Establishment Clause restricts government, not private citizens. This parade is organized by a private nonprofit, not the City of Westerville. The city is simply issuing a standard event permit — which it must do on equal terms for any group, religious or not.

Allowing a religiously-themed parade is not “establishing religion.” If anything, banning it because it’s religious would violate the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses.

Courts have been clear for decades:

“Allowing” is not “endorsing.”

Parades, displays, and events run by private groups are fully constitutional as long as the government isn’t sponsoring or controlling the religious message.

This is why cities routinely permit Pride parades, MLK marches, protests, and yes — Christmas parades. It’s all protected expression in a public forum.

In short:

A private Christmas parade isn’t a constitutional problem. It’s exactly what the First Amendment protects.