U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Denies Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross Case

Liberty Institute will continue the battle to save Veterans Memorial; Justice Alito Says High Court May Reconsider

PLANO, Texas, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will not review the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross case – Mt. Soledad Memorial Association v. Steve Trunk, et al and United States of America, et al. v. Steve Trunk et al. – in which a 29-foot veterans' memorial cross is in jeopardy.

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"While we are disappointed the Court did not accept this case for review at this time, we are hopeful we can find a solution that will allow this veterans memorial to remain where it has stood for over half a century," said Allyson Ho, lead counsel for the co-defendant, the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, and co-chair of the U.S. Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation Practice at Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP.

The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross has stood since 1954 as a symbol of the selfless sacrifice and service of our nation's veterans. The memorial cross is surrounded by six concentric walls with the photos, names and diverse religious symbols of members of our military who have honorably served their country.

Even though the Court temporarily refused to review the case, Justice Alito issued a statement stating that the appeal may be premature and that the court may reconsider this case after the district court issues a final order determining the fate of the memorial. 

"We are hopeful in light of Justice Alito's statement and remain committed to defending this memorial through the many legal battles yet to come," said Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of Liberty Institute and co-counsel for the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association.

The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Cross is just one of many veterans memorials across the country under assault by the ACLU, atheist groups and their supporters. In 2009, Liberty Institute successfully represented the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States, The American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW Department of California, American Ex-Prisoners of War, VFW Post 385, and retired Lt. Col. Allen R. Miliefsky, United States Air Force as amici at the Supreme Court to help save the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross, a World War I memorial in the Mojave National Preserve in California.

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