Atheists are suing to have a gigantic Christian cross removed from the former World Trade Center site where a memorial is being developed to those who died on September 11, 2001. The organization American Atheists has filed litigation with the New York Supreme Court demanding that the 20-foot cross come down from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at what is known as Ground Zero. The plaintiffs argue that placing a symbol of Christianity on government-owned property is a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and the Constitution of New York. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the state of New Jersey and the city of New York, among others.

 

The cross was constructed from two steel beams that were found in the rubble after the World Trade Center collapsed. Since April 2006 it has been located at the nearby St. Peter’s Church.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Atheists File Lawsuit over Christian Cross at New York City 9/11 Memorial (by Eric Dolan, Raw Story)

American Atheists v. Port Authority (New York Supreme Court) (pdf)