The Freedom From Religion Foundation welcomes the news that the La Crescent City Council, Minn., voted Monday to move a cross and star on city property that have been lit every season to celebrate Easter and Christmas.
FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert had sent a letter protesting the religious display in July, after FFRF received a complaint from a La Crescent resident. The La Crescent Lion's Club owned and maintained the display, but it sat on city land.
The plan approved on Nov. 23 is reportedly to light only the star portion this year through January 10, then to move the structure to private property. A yet-to-be-formed private group will sponsor and maintain the display in the future.
The local Lions Club will apparently relinquish control over the cross due to association rules prohibiting support of sectarian matters. Details of the transfer to private hands are still being settled.
FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor hailed the city's thoughtful action. "We are very pleased to hear the city of La Crescent will abide by the constitution and divest itself of this unconstitutional endorsement of religion," she said. "It's nice to see reason — and the Constitution — prevailing."
FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with about 23,000 members, including more than 500 members in Minnesota.