In a first-impression case over whether the Satanic Temple should be allowed to lead the prayer that begins each Boston City Council session, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has warned the religious organization against “distracting from the significance” of its otherwise “meaningful legal challenge with potentially broad effect.”

The court granted the city’s emergency motion for a protective order and motion to quash the deposition of current Mayor Michelle Wu, saying the deposition notice was, by the Satanic Temple’s own admission, a tactic designed to “get the attention of the public.”