American Atheists, Inc.
P O Box 140195
Austin, Texas 78714-0195
(512) 458-1244
http://www.atheists.org


                           PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
February 1, 1997


        ATHEISTS DEMAND REMOVAL OF CROSS FROM U.S. ARMY BASE

American Atheists has demanded the removal of a cross located near Schofield
Barracks, an Army Base, on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment.

Mitch Kahle, Hawaii State Director of American Atheists, requested removal
of the cross in letters sent to Major General John J. Maher, Commanding
General U.S. Army Hawaii, and U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka
earlier this week.

The 37-foot-tall metal cross was constructed in 1962 using public funds as
well as Army labor, tools, and equipment.  To get to the cross, the Army
built a 200-ft. stairway to the cross site.

Captain Daivd A. Fordiani, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, admitted,
"The purpose of the cross appears to be solely for use in the Easter
services."  The Army has said there are "significant legal issues" involved
and they are reviewing the case.

In a similar case, a sixty-five-foot tall, lighted cross at Camp Smith
Hawaii was successfully challenged in 1986 and demolished in 1988 under a
Federal Court order.

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently refused to hear appeals in two cases
involving crosses on public property in Eugene, Oregon and San Francisco,
California, letting stand a Circuit Court decision declaring that the crosses
are unconstitutional.

The Ninth Circuit ruled that: "The fifty-one foot Latin cross located in a
public park on Skinner's butte (Eugene, OR) clearly represents governmental
endorsement of Christianity...official approval of one religious faith over
others."  The court also cited the Establishment Clause, observing:
    "Whatever else the Establishment Clause may mean (and we have held it to
    mean no official preference even for religion over nonreligion)...it
    certainly means at the very least that government may not demonstrate
    a preference for one particular sect or creed including a preference for
    Christianity over other religions..."

American Atheists is a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair
dedicated to promoting the civil rights of Atheists and the absolute
Separation of State and Church.

Media contacts:
Mitchell Kahle               or        Ellen Johnson
Hawaii State Director                  President
(808) 239-1188                         (201) 334-4033
e-mail: mkahle@atheists.org            e-mail: ej@atheists.org