Public Cross Monument Found Constitutional by Federal Judge in US
A judge for the US District Court for the District of Maryland ruled earlier this week that the display of a prominent cross-shaped war memorial in a public park operated by Prince George County does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The monument, known as the “Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial,” is a 40-foot Latin cross embellished with the symbols of the American Legion and has a dedicated inscription of the heroes of Prince George’s County Maryland.
The American Humanist Association first brought the case in February 2014. The court held that the presence and use of the cross is secular, noting that the monument was initially utilized for patriotic occasions to commemorate veterans. Hence, the purpose of the monument was not to promote religion, a violation of the First Amendment, but actually to commemorate veterans.
