ACLJ Stands Ready to Enter Legal Battle to Save San Diego's Mount Soledad Cross

May 8, 2006

(Washington, DC) The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, said today it will enter the legal battle to save the cross atop Mount Soledad in San Diego in place despite a federal court ordering its removal within 90 days.  A federal court has given the city three months to remove the cross or face stiff fines.  The ACLJ has offered San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders legal assistance in the case and says it will at the very least file friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the cross if the citys appeal moves forward.

We believe the City of San Diego has strong legal arguments to ensure that the cross on Mount Soledad remains in place, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  The Mount Soledad cross has been in place in one form or another for nearly 100 years.  Its part of a war memorial honoring the men and women who died to defend our freedoms.  The ACLUs lengthy legal battle to remove the cross underscores what most Americans already know the ACLU will stop at nothing to remove any symbol of our religious heritage and history even a war memorial.  We believe the City of San Diego must explore every legal, legislative, and political remedy available.  The ACLJ stands ready to assist the city in its legal defense and at the very least is prepared to file friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the cross if the appeal moves forward.  This cross should remain in place and were confident theres legal precedent to support that argument.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the ACLJ focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.