{"id":1140,"date":"2011-09-14T09:37:49","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T13:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2011-09-13T14:41:50","modified_gmt":"2011-09-13T18:41:50","slug":"jay-sekulow-ground-zero-cross-gets-more-attention-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/09\/jay-sekulow-ground-zero-cross-gets-more-attention-support.html","title":{"rendered":"Jay Sekulow: Ground Zero Cross Gets More Attention & Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even after the 10th anniversary of 9\/11, it remains a powerful symbol that continues to generate more attention and support. The Ground Zero cross – the steel beams fashioned into the shape of a cross on 9\/11 – was the focal point for many who took part in Sunday’s remembrance of the September 11th terrorists attack.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In fact, much has been written about the history\u00a0of the Ground Zero cross<\/a> – discovered just two days after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The Ground Zero cross became a focal point where thousands gathered. Father Brian Jordan, a Franciscan priest who was blessing remains at Ground Zero for days and weeks following the attack, underscored the importance of the cross, where many gathered: “We had Jews, Muslims, Buddhists. People who believed or didn\u2019t believe. It was a matter of human solidarity. Whether you believed was irrelevant. We needed some type of fellowship down there, other than working.”<\/p>\n

From the very beginning it was clear that this cross held a special place in history – a symbol of hope and of comfort. “The cross is a perfect example,” says Joe Daniels, the September 11th Memorial Foundation’s president. “That was an artifact that was literally born from the site, and it played an actual role during that hellish recovery period.”<\/a><\/p>\n

The flawed legal challenge by American Atheists to the Ground Cross is moving slowly in the court system. We are monitoring developments closely and will file an amicus brief on behalf of 100,000 Americans at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n

As you may recall, most Americans – three out of four – have said they support the Ground Zero cross<\/a>. And, now a new development – strong support from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).<\/p>\n

In a statement released, the ADL says:<\/a><\/p>\n

“ADL fully supports the inclusion in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum of the metal beams in the shape of a cross found in the rubble at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the tragic attacks on 9\/11.<\/p>\n

Allowing this cross to be included in the memorial along with other artifacts found at the site does not constitute government endorsement of a religious message.\u00a0 Rather, it is an acknowledgement that these beams \u2013 part of the infrastructure of one of the towers \u2013 acquired historical significance by giving comfort to many who lost loved ones in the attacks, as well as those who spent days and weeks sifting through the ash and debris.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nThe beams have been a part of the scene at Ground Zero ever since 9\/11, and their inclusion in the memorial is appropriate.”<\/p>\n

In the years since 2001, the Ground Zero cross played a vital role in the recovery and rebuilding of the World Trade Center site. And now, with its inclusion in the World Trade Center Memorial and Museum<\/a>, it will be viewed by millions of Americans in the years to come.<\/p>\n

It didn’t take a museum for Americans – especially those who worked at Ground Zero – to appreciate the importance of this symbol. Years ago, it became clear that the cross would become a part of September 11th history when a welder affixed a steel plaque to the cross which read: “The Cross at Ground Zero \u2014 founded September 13, 2001; Blessed October 4, 2001; Temporarily relocated October 15, 2006; Will return to WTC Museum, a sign of comfort for all.”<\/p>\n

Get the latest on this issue and others by visiting the Jay Sekulow<\/a>\u00a0page on our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even after the 10th anniversary of 9\/11, it remains a powerful symbol that continues to generate more attention and support. The Ground Zero cross – the steel beams fashioned into the shape of a cross on 9\/11 – was the focal point for many who took part in Sunday’s remembrance of the September 11th terrorists…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,40,66],"tags":[324,743,169,346,347,348,332,791,249],"class_list":["post-1140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-11","category-ground-zero","category-u-s-constitution","tag-911-remembrance","tag-aclj","tag-american-atheists","tag-anti-defamation-league","tag-constitutional","tag-father-brian-jordan","tag-ground-zero-cross","tag-jay-sekulow","tag-world-trade-center-memorial-and-museum"],"yoast_head":"\nJay Sekulow: Ground Zero Cross Gets More Attention & Support - Faith & Justice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2011\/09\/jay-sekulow-ground-zero-cross-gets-more-attention-support.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jay Sekulow: Ground Zero Cross Gets More Attention & Support - Faith & Justice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Even after the 10th anniversary of 9\/11, it remains a powerful symbol that continues to generate more attention and support. 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He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories. In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb\u2019s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks. Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation. Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, \"Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda.\" Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea. Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor\u2019s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. Jay Sekulow on YouTube.","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/author\/jay_sekulow"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1140"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1147,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions\/1147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}