ACLJ Poised to Take Legal Action if WWII Memorial is Not Re-Opened to All

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a constitutional law firm based in Washington, D.C., said today it is prepared to take legal action if the Obama Administration does not re-open the national World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. – a memorial that was barricaded as a result of the government shutdown. The ACLJ is also calling on the Administration to remove the barricades, and demand that President Obama apologize to WWII veterans.

“What we are witnessing is a disturbing violation of the First Amendment rights of our nation’s heroes,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “By spending money to bring in barricades to attempt to shut-down an open-air memorial is abhorrent and deeply insulting to WWII vets who defended the very freedoms that are now threatened by the Obama Administration’s actions. We are prepared to take legal action if this injustice is not corrected. We are also launching a national campaign to demand that the barricades be removed and that President Obama issue an apology to the WWII veterans.”

In a letter sent today to President Obama, ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow called the shutdown of the memorial “morally inexcusable.” At the same time, Sekulow noted the ACLJ is prepared to take legal action if the memorial is not re-opened. “Should the closure of the Memorial continue, we will be obligated to file a federal lawsuit seeking an injunction against the Government,” the letter concludes.

The ACLJ is also launching a national campaign demanding that the barricades be removed and that President Obama issue a personal apology to veterans.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, is based in Washington, D.C.