Cross in Pensacola Park Must Come Down, Violates Constitution Federal Judge Rules
ICC Note: In 2016, the Freedom from Religion Foundation and American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit regarding a cross on public park grounds in Pensacola, Florida. In a recent ruling, a US district judge ruled that the cross’s presence on government property was unconstitutional as it allegedly served as an endorsement of Christianity. However, in spite of the ruling, the judge appeared reluctant about removing the cross, speaking of its historical significance in Pensacola and stating that “the Founding Fathers did not intend for the Establishment Clause to ban crosses…from public property”
By Todd Starnes
06/19/2017 United States (Fox News) – Atheists across the fruited plain are rejoicing after a federal judge declared Monday that a cross erected in a Florida park violated the law and must come down.
“I am aware that there is a lot of support in Pensacola to keep the cross as is, and I understand and I understand and respect that point of view,” U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson wrote in his ruling. “But, the law is the law.”
The lawsuit was filed in 2016 by the notorious Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Humanist Association on behalf of four Pensacola citizens.
The judge pointed out that park has hosted tens of thousands of people for roughly 75 years without causing anyone offense – until now.
“When a city park serving all citizens – nonreligious, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian – contains a towering Latin cross, this sends a message of exclusion to non-Christians, and a corresponding message to Christians that they are favored citizens,” said Annie Gaylor, the organization’s perpetually offended co-founder.
The original cross was erected in 1941 in Bayview Park. It was replaced with a 34-foot, white “Latin Cross” in 1969 by the Pensacola Jaycees.
Judge Vinson noted in his ruling the “Bayview Cross” is “part of the rich history of Pensacola and Bayview Park in particular.”
He said the cross had been the focal point for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services – not to mention Easter Sunrise services.