{"id":2538,"date":"2012-03-14T15:32:44","date_gmt":"2012-03-14T19:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=2538"},"modified":"2012-03-14T15:32:44","modified_gmt":"2012-03-14T19:32:44","slug":"jay-sekulow-defending-mt-soledad-cross-memorial-at-supreme-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2012\/03\/jay-sekulow-defending-mt-soledad-cross-memorial-at-supreme-court.html","title":{"rendered":"Jay Sekulow: Defending Mt. Soledad Cross Memorial at Supreme Court"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>You can never predict if the U.S. Supreme Court will take a case. But if there was ever a decision that needs to be overturned – it’s this one.<\/p>\n

Last year, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declared that the federal government’s operation of the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in San Diego is unconstitutional because it includes a commemorative cross. The full appeals court refused to take up the case, despite objections from several members of the court<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This legal battle has been underway for many years and we’ve been at the forefront of defending this most important memorial.<\/p>\n

Today, we filed an amicus brief<\/a> with the Supreme Court – on behalf of 34 members of Congress – backing a request for the high court to take up the appeal. We are asking the Justices to not only hear the case, but declare this memorial\u00a0 and its cross constitutional.<\/p>\n

The appeals court decision needs to be reversed. It not only strikes at the heart of honoring our military veterans, but it’s a decision that’s legally flawed. This memorial is part of the historic landscape of San Diego and is consistent with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.<\/p>\n

In our brief, posted here<\/a>, we represent 34 members of Congress including Rep. Randy Forbes who heads up the Congressional Prayer Caucus, and Reps. Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter, who represent the San Diego area where the memorial is located.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The brief argues that the appeals court erred in several areas including in its determination that the federal government’s ownership of the memorial is unconstitutional. Further, the brief contends the appeals court failed to recognize what the Supreme Court has concluded in earlier cases that “a Latin cross is not merely a reaffirmation of Christian beliefs. It is a symbol often used to honor and respect those whose heroic acts, noble contributions, and patient striving help secure an honored place in history for this Nation and its people.”<\/p>\n

Here’s the complete listing of the 34 members of Congress represented in the brief filed today: United States Representatives Brian Bilbray, Randy Forbes, Duncan Hunter, Robert Aderholt, Todd Akin, Roscoe Bartlett, Dan Burton, Mike Conaway, Chip Cravaack, Jeff Duncan, Jeff Fortenberry, Virginia Foxx, Trent Franks, Vicky Hartzler, Darrell Issa, Bill Johnson, Walter Jones, Jim Jordan, Mike Kelly, John Kline, James Lankford, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Gary Miller, Jeff Miller, Alan Nunnelee, Mike Pence, Ted Poe, Mike Pompeo, Tom Price, Dennis Ross, Ed Royce, Steve Scalise, Lamar Smith, and Lynn Westmoreland, are currently serving members of the 112th Congress.<\/p>\n

We’re hopeful the high court will take this appeal and correct what can only be described as a problematic decision.<\/p>\n

I will keep you posted on what the Supreme Court decides to do.<\/p>\n

Jay Sekulow<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You can never predict if the U.S. Supreme Court will take a case. But if there was ever a decision that needs to be overturned – it’s this one. Last year, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declared that the federal government’s operation of the Mt. Soledad Veterans…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,8,427],"tags":[87,766,412,413,744,612],"class_list":["post-2538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-memorial-crosses","category-supreme-court","category-war-memorial","tag-9th-circuit-court-of-appeals","tag-congress","tag-mt-soledad-memorial-cross","tag-san-diego","tag-supreme-court","tag-veterans"],"yoast_head":"\nJay Sekulow: Defending Mt. Soledad Cross Memorial at Supreme Court - 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\/2012\/03\/jay-sekulow-defending-mt-soledad-cross-memorial-at-supreme-court.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jay Sekulow: Defending Mt. Soledad Cross Memorial at Supreme Court - Faith & Justice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You can never predict if the U.S. Supreme Court will take a case. But if there was ever a decision that needs to be overturned – it’s this one. Last year, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declared that the federal government’s operation of the Mt. 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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\/2538","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=2538"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2546,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2538\/revisions\/2546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}