The federal court on Wednesday ruled that a historic World War I monument to 49 fallen Americans must be torn down because it is in the shape of a cross, as reported by Fox News.
The Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland, which has come to be known as the “Peace Cross,” was erected by the American Legion in 1925.
Appeals court finds Bladensburg cross, a WWI memorial, violates Constitution https://t.co/GLCR64RN4y pic.twitter.com/wApksnzbcL
— ABC 13 News – WSET (@ABC13News) October 19, 2017
In 2014, the Peace Cross became the subject of a lawsuit by the American Humanist Association, which argues the monument is unconstitutional because it has “an inherently religious message and creates the unmistakable appearance of honoring only Christian servicemen.”
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with American Humanist Associatioin and ruled in favor of the monument’s removal, citing its cross shape as problematic.
According to the Court’s majority opinion, the Peace Cross “breaches” the wall between church and state by being made in the form of the “core symbol of Christianity.”
The Court’s Chief Judge, Roger Gregory, wrote a dissenting opinion in which he defended the World War I monument.
“This Memorial stands in witness to the VALOR, ENDURANCE, COURAGE, and DEVOTION of the forty-nine residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland ‘who lost their lives in the Great War for the liberty of the world,'” Gregory wrote. “I cannot agree that a monument so conceived and dedicated and that bears such witness violates the letter or spirit of the very Constitution these heroes died to defend.”
The American Legion is being represented by First Liberty Institute and the Jones Day law firm. Jones Day attorney Michael Carvin said “This memorial has stood in honor of local veterans for almost 100 years and is lawful under the First Amendment. To remove it would be a tremendous dishonor to the local men who gave their lives during The Great War.”
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Peace Cross honors 49 PG men who died in WWI. Erected 1925. Now deemed unconstitutional by Fed judges cause it's a cross on pub land @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/0DAIj7TTxh
— Evan Koslof (@ekoslof) October 19, 2017
Hiram Sasser of First Liberty Institute added “Today’s decision sets dangerous precedent by completely ignoring history, and it threatens removal and destruction of veterans memorials across America.”
The American Legion can still appeal its case directly to the Supreme Court.
This latest stand against the Peace Cross echoes the recent left-wing fervor to remove all historical monuments they deem offensive, including memorials to Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Ordinary Americans, however, are frustrated with attempts to erase the nation’s history.
This is for real? When did a simple cross become offensive? When will people with common sense say ENOUGH?!?
— Steven Hasting (@HastingSteven) October 18, 2017
As an atheist myself I can’t understand why people do https://t.co/OPsocA9jQb don’t have to be religious to be respectful of others.
— Neil Archer (@neilarcher4426) October 18, 2017
I live down the street from this and I’m not religious and it doesn’t bother me. they shouldn’t spend public money to remove it.
— $OGAUNTIE (@OG_Auntie) October 19, 2017
It’s quite obvious that it’s a memorial monument not a religious statement. The do-gooders didn’t do good with this one?
— Skeptik_al (@Skeptik_al) October 18, 2017
Good Lord! I grew up not far from the cross and it is a beautiful local landmark. Where do these clowns get off?
— George Wallace (@willmarth1917) October 19, 2017
The nation should have a referendum on ERASING HISTORY.
— TMrealityczech (@TMrealityczech) October 19, 2017
PG County is talking about removing ‘The Peace Cross’, honoring Military Veterans. Why are we allowing this? Entitled much? #gooddaydc
— Kelly McShane-Jewell (@Neurogirl73) October 19, 2017
Another erroneous ruling. This case in no way violates the prohibition of establishing a national religion under the constitution.
— Gerald Pilley (@GeraldPilley) October 19, 2017
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