Jesus Sign Coming Down in Hawkins
Posted/updated on: September 23, 2015 at 1:42 amHAWKINS — A controversial sign in Hawkins is coming down. Monday night, the city council voted to remove the “Jesus Welcomes You To Hawkins” sign. Last month, it was announced that a survey showed the sign was on private property and would stay up. But last night it was announced that another survey had indicated that the sign was on public property. The Freedom From Religion Foundation had objected to the sign saying the sign welcoming visitors to Hawkins is an unconstitutional religious display on government property.
The organization stated in a letter sent to the Hawkins City Council by Staff Attorney Sam Grover, their purpose is to “protect the constitutional separation between state and church.” The sign in question reads is located on East Front Street. The group claims the sign “conveys both a government preference for religion over non-religion, and prefers Christianity over other religions.” It adds that the landmark violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, prohibiting public ground for advancing, supporting or promoting religion. Within the next 30 days, the sign will be removed by a private contractor and put into storage.