Humanists Cross About Bladensburg Memorial

Secular organization says Bladensburg Peace Cross violates First Amendment's establishment clause.

Is the Bladensburg Peace Cross a religious symbol? Representatives for the American Humanist Association say it is, and are asking local parks and planning officials to either remove the 40-foot-tall concrete sculpture or give the land to a non-public entity to maintain. Failure to do so, according to a spokesman for the 10,000 member secular group, would constitute a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution, which calls for the separation of church and state.  "If this land wasn't owned by the government, then this wouldn't be an issue whatsoever," said Brian Magee, communications associate with the AHA.  Magee grew up in Greenbelt and remembers the cross as a prominent area landmark. But he said it is in no way a secular…

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Editor's Notebook

Viewfinder: Peace Amid a Windy Night

Strongish winds moved into the area yesterday evening, sending clouds flying across the sky and fluttering flags.

My new Nikon D7000 arrived yesterday, so I put it through its paces, taking it out for a night photography session in Hyattsville and Bladensburg.

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