ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. ( WJHL ) — A Wisconsin-based organization wants the City of Elizabethton to take down the three iconic crosses on Lynn Mountain that overlook the city. The crosses have been there for decades. The Freedom From Religion Foundation says it wants the crosses removed because they are located on city property and claims that is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment with the Establishment Clause in bold “They are crosses up there by themselves. They seem to have a pretty obviously Christian message,” said Karen Heineman, a legal fellow for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. According to the foundation, it reached out to the city in 2018 after receiving a complaint from a resident. The foundation said the city received the complaint and was told the city would respond, but that never happened. The foundation has since renewed its call for the removal of the crosses. […]
