Atheist Group Wants Orange Co. To Remove Crosses

Targeting Southeast Texas for the second time in a year, a national organization is asking Orange County to remove a "white Latin cross" and another that sits on an American Legion war memorial, claiming their presence in front of the courthouse is unconstitutional. In a letter dated March 14 to Orange County Commissioner Barry Burton, FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert asked for the removal of a white cross near the main entrance of the courthouse and another that sits on a veteran's memorial "to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church." Orange County Judge Stephen Brint Carlton said the war memorial was designed and constructed by the American Legion.