Christian Groups to Challenge Ban on Crosses
The Christian Defense Coalition plans to bring in three 5 by 3 crosses to the inaugural parade route and chalk outlines of bodies across Pennsylvania Ave., to speak on behalf of religious freedom and unborn life.
Hundreds of pro-lifers are expected to rally for un-born life and religious freedom throughout Inaugural Day, Thursday, January 20, 2005.
“Rest assured that a peaceful and prayerful a pro-life witness will be present,” said Patrick Mahoney, the director of the Christian Defense Coalition that is coordinating the events.
Early Thursday morning, Mahoney and dozens of other pro-lifers will attempt to chalk outline bodies across Pennsylvania Ave. to remind President Bush of the millions of un-born children killed through abortion each year.
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“At 5:30 am, we’re trying to chalk outlines of bodies, and write, “Mr. President, protect America’s children,”” explained Mahoney. “Then we’ll be holding banners asking Bush to nominate pro-life justices.
“We want to remind the president to fulfill the promises he made about supporting life throughout his campaign, and let him know that the lives of the 45,000,000 children will be represented at this inauguration,” he added.
While the CDC does not plan to hold any specific rallies, Mahoney said he expects several hundreds to join them throughout the day at their designated protest spot.
“We have a space reserved, right in front of the Canadian Embassy,” explained Mahoney.
“We don’t have any specific rallies, but people will be coming to pray and stand with us throughout the day. There are groups, such as Generation Rock for Christ and Faith in Action, which said they will join us.
In regards to the religious freedom issue, Mahoney said CDC members plan to bring in 3 large crosses to stand against the Secret Service’s initial prohibition on crosses.
“The Christian Defense Coalition will be speaking out and standing for the First Amendment and religious freedom in the public square also. We plan to display crosses at the Inaugural that were originally banned by the Secret Service,” Mahoney said.
The Secret Service initially placed a ban on all crosses at the inaugural service for protectionist measures. However, in response to a complaint filed by the CDC, the Secret Service wrote that the ban was “not intended to single out a particular religious item” and that “crosses are not per se prohibited.”
According to the Secret Service’s letter, small crosses could be worn or drawn on hand-held signs, but the ban on solid or hollowed out “structures” that could be used as weapons remains in place.
“We went to a sign maker and we’re bringing three large plastic crosses, standing at 5 feet by 3 feet. In our original permit application, we did not put crosses there, but we are now bringing several with us to ensure that the first amendment is protected,” said Mahoney.
According to Mahoney, the Secret Service’s decision to single out Christianity’s most sacred symbol is in violation of religious freedom.
“The Secret Service originally had an unequivocal ban on crosses. But that’s troubling because one religion’s most sacred symbol of faith is being singled out. I would assume that wooden structures of Jewish or Muslim symbols are just as dangerous, but they were not listed,” explained Mahoney. “From the beginning, our whole discussion was to get the Secret Service to just ban wooden structures or metal structures, without getting a ban or prohibition on any religious symbols.
Mahoney added that while he believes the crosses will pass the Secret Service’s security checkpoints, he is ready to file a lawsuit if the crosses are banned.
The location of the CDC’s approved permit site is across from the Canadian Embassy on Pennsylvania Ave. right above 4th Street NW.
