FFRF lawsuit removes Santa Clara cross, formally settles -

[Heddi]

https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/28952-14-foot-cross-removed-from-calif-park

The Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit removing a 14-foot granite cross in a California public park has been formally settled this week.

FFRF and a local member sued the city of Santa Clara in April 2016, after FFRF had attempted for four years to persuade the city to remove the cross from Memorial Cross Park without litigation.

As part of the settlement, the city in January removed and donated the cross to the Catholic Santa Clara University.

The Santa Clara Lion's Club had contributed the cross to the city in 1953 for the decidedly nonsecular purpose of marking the site of the second Spanish Catholic mission, which had been established in 1777.

"We're pleased that the city divested itself of this religious symbol, and that the Constitution is now being complied with," says FFRF Managing Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert, who was co-counsel on the case.

Local officials acknowledged the correctness of FFRF's position.

"Some people feel like we've caved in or succumbed to the arguments of a relatively small number of people, but as I said, they [FFRF] do have a number of legal precedents on their side," councilmember Teresa O'Neill told NBC reporter Ian Cull.

..
"This sends a strong message of support of the wall of separation between religion and government," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "Reason and the Constitution have prevailed."

FFRF v. City of Santa Clara was litigated on behalf of FFRF by David J.P. Kaloyanides, with FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler also serving as co-counsel. The case, No. 5:16-cv-02072, was before Judge Lucy H. Koh. Final settlement papers have been signed. The city of Santa Clara has agreed to pay attorney fees of $6,500, of which FFRF will recover legal costs.

- See more at: https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/28952-14-foot-cross-removed-from-calif-park#sthash.aHANrmU9.dpuf

- See more at: https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/28952-14-foot-cross-removed-from-calif-park#sthash.aHANrmU9.dpuf

[trotsky]

1. "they do have a number of legal precedents on their side"

Not to mention THE FREAKING CONSTITUTION.

[Heddi]

2. Yeah I chuckled when I read that

Well, the FFRF may have legal precedence and the constitution on their side but the City has, duh, GOD....

[Igel]

3. Bears Ears. n/t

[Goblinmonger]

4. Good. Another fantastic fight for the FFRF

Aren't there a bunch of people on here that don't like the FFRF for some stupid fucking reason?

[beam me up scottie]

5. Why yes, I believe there are.

Along with the ACLU.

Which is really odd for a liberal website, usually hatred of the FFRF comes from rabid right wing zealots.