MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis-area church pastor who also drives a school bus says his rights to free speech and to practice his religion were violated when he was taken off his route for leading students in prayer.

It is not the first time George Nathaniel has faced consequences for leading prayers. Nathaniel was fired from driving children in the town of Burnsville, Minnesota, four years ago for the same reason.

The Star Tribune reports that Quality Care Transportation removed Nathaniel from his route last week. He drove children to Nasha Shkola, a charter school in Brooklyn Park focused on Russian language and culture.

Quality Care owner Muk Musa says school officials received complaints that Nathaniel was forcing minors to pray.

Nathaniel says he wants to turn people to Christianity, but he never forced students to pray.

Musa says Nathaniel isn't fired, but hasn't received a new route either. He's also a pastor of a Minneapolis congregation.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com