National Organization Taking Credit for Longview Cross Removal
Posted/updated on: December 14, 2016 at 3:43 pmLONGVIEW – The Freedom From Religion Foundation claims it is responsible for a cross being removed from a Longview fire station. According to the organization’s web site, a resident alerted them to the cross. They contacted the city last year about it. The group’s staff attorney, Sam Grover wrote to Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman, “It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for a government to display a Latin cross on its property because it conveys a preference of the city of Longview for religion over nonreligion and Christianity over all minority faiths.”
When the cross went up again this year, city officials asked firefighters to remove it. Longview Spokesman Shawn Hara said, “displays that are religious of nature that are placed on public property face challenges, so our practice is that we don’t do that.” But today, there is still a cross in front of the fire station. A family across the street from the fire station put one up. They said they did it to show that they appreciate what the fire department does for the community.