Do crosses violate U.S. standards?

An atheist group continues to make the issue of monuments for fallen Utah Highway Patrol troopers a cross to bear for state officials.

A week after filing a federal suit against the UHP and the Utah Department of Transportation on claims that memorial crosses erected along Utah's highways violate the concept of separation between church and state, American Atheists Inc. has now claimed that many of the cross monuments located in or near highway rights-of-way may violate federal highway standards.

In a letter sent Thursday to the Utah Division of the Federal Highway Administration and UDOT, American Atheists Inc. president Ellen Johnson said between nine and 14 crosses are close enough to highways to possibly violate federal highway advertising and signage regulations under the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 and related federal code regulations.

She asked state and federal highway officials to review the crosses to determine their legality.

"If the displays are in violation of the law, I would request that your agency take appropriate action," she stated.

The group, including several Utah members, filed the suit asking a federal judge to order the removal of the 12-foot tall metal crosses that are located on government property and to rule that the UHP beehive logo on the crosses is unconstitutional. Some crosses are located on donated private property near highways.

The group says they find the symbol of the Christian cross a religious symbol that has no place on government property.

News of the suit has outraged monument supporters, who plan to hold a rally today at 1:30 p.m. at the UHP section office in Murray, 5681 S. 320 East.

The Utah Highway Patrol says the cross symbol was chosen as a symbol of international peace and memorial, not as something religious.

UDOT officials say they are reviewing whether the crosses are in violation of federal law.

"Anyone can apply for a permit for something that impacts our right of way," said UDOT spokesman Nile Easton. "We're evaluating the list submitted. It looks like some of the crosses are in the right of way, some are not, and some are permitted. We're still looking at it."

Easton said they have received the organization's letter, which is being reviewed by legal counsel.