For years, parks in Santa Monica, Calif., have been dotted with Nativity scenes during the holidays. But that likely won’t happen this year.

A judge said she would not approve a bid to force the city to reopen spaces in a city park to private displays, including Christmas Nativity scenes.

U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Collins announced her intent in a tentative ruling given to attorneys in advance of a late-morning hearing.

William Becker, an attorney representing a group of Christian churches, said he will appeal.

Christmas Nativity scenes had been erected in Palisades Park for decades. Last year, atheists overwhelmed the city's auction process for display sites, winning most of the slots and triggering a bitter dispute.

Santa Monica officials snuffed the city's holiday tradition this year rather than referee the religious rumble, prompting churches that have set up a 14-scene Christian diorama to sue over freedom of speech claims.

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