Two days ago, a U.S. District Court judge in California ordered the removal of a cross on the top of Mount Soledad in San Diego, CA.  This cross is part of a war memorial that has been in place in some form since 1913 and, in its current form since 1954.  The current war memorial is dedicated to the veterans from the Korean War.  The ACLU has been seeking the removal of this cross for over 15 years.  Interestingly, 75% of the population of San Diego, CA, wants the war memorial to stay in place.  Last year Congress passed and the President signed into law a statute that allowed for the federal government to acquire the property and maintain the war memorial.  Not surprisingly, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals in California held that the transfer of property violated the constitution of the State of California.  One might ask, “Why are the federal courts interpreting the California constitution?”  This is an issue that is still being litigated in the state courts. 

We have launched a nationwide campaign today in order to protect his monument.  Frank Manion, our ACLJ Senior Counsel who has handled the Ten Commandments litigation across the United States, has already sent a letter offering assistance to the mayor of San Diego.  On our radio program today, we are also launching a nationwide campaign to petition the mayor, the Governor of California, the President of the United States and the Senate Leader to do everything in their power to preserve this war memorial.  One would hope that we have not reached a point in our country where the simple depiction of a cross--which, in a sense, is a universal symbol of remembrance, especially in the military-- would become illegal.  Furthermore, one wonders what the ACLU and others would do with the crosses and stars of David depicted throughout Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.  After all, Arlington Memorial Cemetery is owned, operated and maintained by our federal government. 

This is an issue that we will be addressing on a nationwide basis over the coming weeks.  It is important for each of you to participate with us in this endeavor.  Please log onto our website at www.aclj.org to add your name to what we hope will be over 500,000 people standing up for freedom.  Let’s honor our brave men and women by supporting this important war memorial.