King Christian Flag At Issue

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King Christian Flag At Issue

Special Report - October 8, 2010
City council members in King, North Carolina, will hold a public hearing next week to hear from residents over the city’s decision to remove a Christian flag from the Veteran’s Memorial at a local park. At a city council meeting on October 4, dozens of local residents spoke out in support of the flag and asked the council to return it to the memorial, which is located at the city’s Central Park. In September, the city council voted 3 to 1 to remove the Christian flag, after receiving threats of a possible lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Both Americans United and the ACLU of NC sent letters to city officials on August 11, claiming that the Christian flag violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and asking them to remove the flag. According to Americans United, a local veteran contacted them, complaining about the flag. Reportedly, the same veteran has now complained to the city about a cross on a statue of a soldier kneeling in prayer that is also at the Veteran’s Memorial. The city attorney told council members that a lawsuit over the Christian flag could potentially cost the city between $200,000 and $300,000. Flag supporters have pledged to help raise the financial support the city would need to defend itself against a lawsuit, should the ACLU and Americans United make good on their threat.

Hundreds of local citizens have responded to the flag controversy with support, including holding a rally at the Veteran’s Memorial and more recently sponsoring a “Christian Flag Day” on October 4, which many businesses, homes and cars observed by displaying the Christian flag. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 11, at 6 PM at King Elementary School in King, NC.

Related article:
NCFPC Supports Prayer Policy - June 14, 2010
Forsyth Appeal Decision Pending - February 19, 2010
Freedom Of Religion Statement Issued - January 20, 2010