KING, N.C., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina granted a motion to include Liberty Institute's clients, The American Legion and The American Legion Post 290 of King, N.C., in a pending lawsuit over the constitutionality of a veterans memorial in King's Central Park. A copy of the order can be viewed at https://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=81.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12743LOGO-b)
"We are thankful that the court granted our clients the right to intervene and protect their interests," said Liberty Institute Director of Litigation Hiram Sasser. "The Legion gave significant resources and money to erect this memorial in honor of our Nation's veterans, and they should have the right to be heard."
In 2009, the local Legion Post 209 significantly contributed to the design and construction of the veterans memorial that includes a statue of a soldier kneeling before a cross-shaped headstone. The American Legion participates in patriotic events at the memorial, including on Memorial Day and 9-11.
In 2012, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which claims it is "dedicated to preserving the principle of church-state separation," filed a lawsuit against the city of King on behalf of resident Steven Hewett. The group alleges that the statue violates the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions because it contains religious imagery and sits on public land.
The King memorial joins a list of veterans memorials throughout the country under attack.
About Liberty Institute
Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's Founders. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.
SOURCE Liberty Institute
Share this article