Christian Group Wants to Carry Crosses at Inaugural Parade

Christian Defense Coalition: Secret Service Refuses to Remove Crosses from List of Prohibited Items at Inaugural Parade Route

1/11/2005 4:26:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, 202-547-1735 or 540-548-4741 (cell)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Secret Service refuses to remove crosses from the list of prohibited items at the Presidential Inaugural parade route. The Christian Defense Coalition is still moving forward with litigation if crosses remain on the prohibited list.

In a letter sent to the Christian Defense Coalition, the Secret Service said crosses could be worn around the neck or placed on a sign but they would not remove crosses from the list of prohibited items that could be used as a weapon. See letter at http://www.earnedmedia.org/ss_ltr.htm

In a letter sent back to the Secret Service on Jan. 11, the Christian Defense Coalition has said this is unacceptable and has asked the Service to "...eliminate the word 'crosses' from the illustrative list of prohibited items." See letter at http://www.earnedmedia.org/reply.htm

The Coalition has also said this matter could have been easily resolved if the Secret Service had banned all structures made of wood, metal or pipe and not singled out one religion's most sacred symbol.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states, "The Secret Service continues to show a profound lack of sensitivity toward the Christian faith by leaving crosses on the list of prohibited items from the Inaugural Parade. This amounts to religious and viewpoint discrimination. It is very troubling for federal law enforcement to suggest the somehow a cross presents a greater danger to national security than other religious symbol. This situation can be settled simply by the Secret Service prohibiting all structures made of wood or metal and not having to discriminate against the most sacred symbol of the Christian faith."

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