AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (908) 276-7300
Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director at 859-384-7000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2007


        FEDERAL COURT: STARKE, FLA. VIOLATED FEDERAL, STATE
            CONSTITUTIONS BY DISPLAYING CHRISTIAN CROSS


A federal court ruled Tuesday that the city of Starke, Fla. violated the
federal and state constitutions by placing and maintaining a metal
Christian cross on top of a municipal water tower.

A resident of the town, aided by American Atheists and represented by
attorney Frank Shooster, challenged the display which had been erected
over 30 years ago at the behest of local officials, and was illuminated
at night.  The cross was also periodically maintained at public expense.

U.S. District Court Judge John H. Moore, II found for the plaintiffs,
and dismissed several arguments devised by the City.  Citing earlier
legal precedents, the judge noted that the cross was "indistinguishable
from the ubiquitous crosses found on any number of churches within the
State of Florida and across the country symbolizing Christianity." He
added in his written opinion:

"The display of the Cross on the water tower has the unconstitutional
effect of advancing, affirming, or otherwise validating Christianity ...
To the objective observer, the combination of the words 'STARKE' and the
Cross on the water tower clearly communicates the City's endorsement of
Christianity..."

Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists, hailed the
ruling as a "great victory for the First Amendment separation of church
and state."

"No government, whether federal, local or state, should be promoting
sectarian religion and using public money to build and maintain
religious displays," Kagin added.

The City of Starke, Fla. removed the cross prior to today's finding.
Judge Moore said that his ruling of Summary Judgment was necessary to
prevent the town government "at some point in the future" from
re-erecting the unconstitutional Christian cross on public property.

"Let's hope that city officials comply with the District Court and not
try an 'end run' around the First Amendment," said Mr. Kagin.  "If they
do, we'll be ready to fight this case again."

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for
Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc.
P. O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402