ACLJ to Dept. of Justice: Put up Replacement War Memorial Cross in Mojave Desert

“It's our hope that the original cross that's been stolen can be reclaimed and returned to its proper place. Until then, though, displaying a replica cross creates no constitutional crisis and sends an important message to the vandals - you will not succeed.” - Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsel

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2010— America's top conservative public interest law firm is working to ensure that crime does not pay.  The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place a replica cross - fashioned after a recently stolen one displayed for decades as California's Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial - at the site of the vandalized memorial.  In a letter to the DOJ, the ACLJ contends that "not replacing the cross will essentially reward those who stole the cross" and argues that "failing to replace the stolen cross dishonors the memory of the veterans it was created to honor."

"It's appalling that vandals would remove a cross that has survived a constitutional challenge at the nation's highest court," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.  "What's even more troubling is the fact that the federal government is opposed to permitting a replica cross to be put in place.  Americans want the decision of the Supreme Court honored.  And that means keeping the Mojave Desert War Memorial in place.  We're calling on the Department of Justice to take the appropriate action without delay and permit the replica cross to be put up on Sunrise Rock."

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the cross put in place more than 70 years ago by the Veterans of Foreign Wars could remain in place - rejecting a constitutional challenge for its removal.  The ACLJ represented 15 members of Congress in an amicus brief filed with the high court supporting the display of the cross.

Shortly after the decision, vandals took the cross and within days a replacement cross had been fashioned.  The National Park Service has refused to put up the replica and now supporters are appealing to the Department of Justice for permission to put up the replacement cross.

The ACLJ is sending a letter to the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service urging the replacement cross to be displayed.  Read the full letter here.

"There is no good reason for the National Park Service to forbid the Memorial's caretakers from replacing the stolen cross," the ACLJ's letter contends.  "As Justice Alito recognized, removing the cross 'would have been viewed by many as a sign of disrespect for the brave soldiers whom the cross was meant to honor.'  Likewise, failing to replace the stolen cross dishonors the memory of the veterans it was created to honor. Therefore, we respectfully request that you permit the caretakers to replace the cross immediately."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.