Outrage as Christian cross REMOVED from Christmas tree as 'religious symbols not allowed'
FURIOUS protests have erupted after authorities removed a cross from a town’s Christmas tree as religious symbols were not allowed.
US town protest removal of crosses from Christmas tree
Dozens of shocked residents took to the streets armed with wooden crosses of their own, handing them out to passersby and placing some on the tree at the centre of the controversy.
The row broke out when town hall bosses in Knightstown in the US state of Indiana decided to remove the cross from the top of the tree after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The legal action was launched on behalf of Knightstown resident Joe Thompkins and stated the religious symbol should not be displayed on town property.
A Christmas tree and a cross
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A council workman removes the cross from the Christmas tree in Knightstown, Indiana
It just made me sick to my stomach, literally sick to my stomach, when I come in and seen that the cross was down, seen that the cross was gone
Council officials released a statement saying they did not think they could win the case and did not have the money to fight a costly legal battle so the cross was take down.
But their responses has provoked outrage in the small community.
Knightstown resident Lora Lewman, said: ”Where's my rights to see the cross on the tree when I go down by here?
"It just made me sick to my stomach, literally sick to my stomach, when I come in and seen that the cross was down, seen that the cross was gone.”
Furious residents take to the streets to protest against the removal of the cross
Another local, Aaron Magee, said: “One man shouldn't dictate how the rest of us express our religious freedoms. We have that freedom under the First Amendment.”
Mr Thompkins has argued that the lawsuit is about the Constitution, specifically the First Amendment with regard to establishment of religion.
Some protestors added their own crosses to the Christmas tree
The council next meets on Thursday and plans to pass a resolution that would keep the cross off the tree permanently.
Residents have vowed to attend the meeting in large number to make sure councillors are aware of their disapproval.