Oral Arguments in the Case Challenging Removal of Cross from LA County Seal will be Held Tomorrow in Federal Appeals Court

News From Thomas More Law Center

ANN ARBOR, MI — "On Tuesday, October 17th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hear oral argument in a lawsuit brought by the Thomas More Law Center challenging the decision of LA County officials to remove the small cross from the County’s official seal because it is a Christian symbol. The hearing will be held in the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Court of Appeals Building in Pasadena, California.

The cross had been a part of the official seal since 1957. However, as a result of a letter from the ACLU threatening a lawsuit, the LA County supervisors, on June 1, 2004, decided to target the small cross for removal from its official seal because the cross was a symbol of Christianity. The County’s decision set off a firestorm of protest and resulted in the present lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Ernesto Vasquez, a County employee.

Since their decision, LA County officials in cooperation with the ACLU, have begun the process of removing seals with the small cross from county property." Continue reading.