California Residents Protest Cross Removal with More Crosses
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
LOS ANGELES (Worthy News)– California citizens are protesting the removal of a large memorial cross by publicly displaying smaller crosses bearing messages for the atheists whose complaints caused the memorial to be taken down, according to International Christian Concern.
"Ever heard the phrase 'to each his own'? Does this bother you? Look the other way!" read one cross.
The small wooden crosses have replaced the large white Latin cross that served as a memorial for 19-year-old Anthony Devaney who was fatally struck by a car while crossing Lake Street in Lake Elsinore last May.
Anthony's mother, Annmarie Devaney, removed the memorial cross to her son last Thursday to avoid any further conflicts with the American Humanist Association; the AHA had complained to the city that a memorial cross on public property was a violation of the so-called separation of church and state.
"It hurts," Devaney said. "It's like reliving the moment again, it's like losing my son again … I want to do what's right and I don't want to make it a big deal or cause a scene … I think they're just looking for something to complain about, really, and I think that it's petty. The cross is there because my son's Christian, and not for any other reason. I don't know why they're doing this, but it makes me sad."
Yet despite that sadness, the Humanist group — that by definition is composed of members "concerned with the interests and welfare of humans" — said it was pleased with the removal of the Latin cross from city property.