National Park Service agrees to remove cross from federal land

SANTA ANA, California (AP) -- The National Park Service announced Tuesday that it had agreed under threat of a lawsuit to remove an 8-foot iron cross used for Easter gatherings and as a World War I memorial in Mojave National Preserve.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California threatened to sue the park service if it did not voluntarily take down the cross, which stands in the desert about 85 miles northeast of Barstow.

"It's a cross on federal property. The case law is pretty clear. We had no choice," said preserve superintendent Mary Martin.

Martin said the cross would be removed within the next few weeks. A specific date was not set. The ACLU, without giving a name, said the complaint was brought on behalf of a former park service employee who claimed to be Catholic.

Michael Small, the ACLU chief counsel in Southern California, said the cross violates the separation of church and state.

"Democracy and religion are both strengthened by the principle that the government should not champion one religious perspective over another," Small said.

A wooden cross and a plaque were erected on the site in 1934 by members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter to honor soldiers who died during World War I. Those memorials have since been destroyed or stolen, but neighbors continued to replace the cross, said resident Rob Blair.

Over the years, the spot became a gathering point for area ranchers for Easter Sunday services, local club meetings and barbecues. At one point, a railroad boxcar was brought in to serve as a meeting place and shelter for the events.

Rob Blair, who has lived in the area for 40 years, said he doubted whether the ACLU understood the significance of the cross, which he called "a memorial to honor fallen soldiers."

"Why should they care? This isn't their home," he said. "They say they can't drive through the desert without seeing a cross? You can't drive anywhere in big city America without seeing a cross."

Residents at the California State Veterans Home in Barstow sought a meeting with the National Park Service to discuss options other than removing the symbol. But in a response dated October 20, the service said it was forced to agree to remove the cross.

"We expect significant negative public and political reaction to removal," the letter said, adding that the park service will work with local groups on ways to allow continued use of the site for public gatherings.

Martin said she initially resisted removing the cross because she believed it posed no threat to the park service's mission to protect the land's natural resources.

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On the Net:

Mojave National Preserve: http://www.nps.gov/moja/

ACLU of Southern California: http://www.aclu-sc.org/

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