• Accessibility Tools
  • Action Headquarters
  • Media Center
    • Press Releases
    • Press Kit
    • All News

American Humanist Association

Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About
    • About

      For over 80 years, the AHA has proudly served as the leading progressive voice in America on behalf of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers.

      Learn More
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financial Info and Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Are You Humanist?
    • Are You Humanist?

      Guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience.

      Learn More
    • Definition of Humanism
    • Humanism and Its Aspirations
    • Humanist of the Year Award
    • Famous Humanists in History
  • Key Issues
    • Key Issues

      We are committed to building an inclusive America grounded in an embrace of reason, ethics, scientific inquiry, and compassion- rather than religious dogma.

      Learn More
    • Defending Nontheists and Promoting Humanism
    • Religion and Government Separation
    • Social Justice
    • Scientific Integrity
    • Promoting Peace
    • Resolutions and Statements
  • What We Do
    • What We Do

      We work tirelessly in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend civil liberties, secular governance, and scientific integrity.

      Learn More
    • Legal
    • Legislative
    • Education Center
    • Local Groups
    • Programs and Adjuncts
    • Publications
    • AHA at the Supreme Court
    • National Day of Reason
    • Boycott the Pledge Campaign
    • Humanist Disaster Recovery
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Humanism for All Prisoners’ Project
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved

      Ready for change? Join our network and be the first to take action. Get the resources and tools you need to make a real difference.

      Learn More
    • Humanist Action Headquarters
    • Report a Violation or Discrimination
    • Find a Local AHA Group
    • Become a Humanist Celebrant
    • Events and Conferences
    • Grants and Programs
    • Resources
  • Ways to Give
    • Ways to Give

      Through winning lawsuits, active lobbying, and effective media campaigns, your contribution can go a long way.

      Learn More
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Donate
    • Online-Only Membership
    • Leave a Bequest
    • IRA Rollover Gifts
    • Other Ways to Give
  • Media Center
  • Take Action
February 23, 2009 Press Releases

Sham Religious Land Deal Decried

Facebook Twitter Email Share
February 23, 2009 Press Releases

For Immediate Release – Contact Fred Edwords at (202) 238-9088
fedwords@americanhumanist.org – www.americanhumanist.org

(Washington, DC, February 23, 2009) The U.S. Supreme Court should rule against the use of sham land deals to keep religious symbols on federal property, the American Humanist Association said today. This was in reference to this morning’s decision by the Court to hear the case Salazar v. Buono, in which a former National Park Service employee and the American Civil Liberties Union sued to remove the eight-foot Sunrise Rock cross erected in the Mojave National Preserve in California. The memorial was originally built in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but the cross and the property beneath it were transferred to private hands with Congressional approval in 2004. On two occasions since 2004, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the cross must be removed, invalidating the land transfer.

“The American Humanist Association agrees with the 9th Circuit’s decision and will work to convince the Supreme Court of that conclusion,” said Bob Ritter, legal coordinator for the Appignani Humanist Legal Center of the American Humanist Association. “The devious practice of trying to keep a religious symbol on public property by selling the piece of land on which it sits to a private owner—-doing so in an private inside deal—-has got to stop. This should be recognized as a conspiracy to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is a sham land deal motivated by a sectarian desire to maintain a sacred Christian symbol on the people’s property. If this isn’t stopped, it can be repeated on every parcel of public land—-federal, state, and local—-across America.”  
   
“The American Humanist Association has a long tradition of standing against government endorsement of religion,” added Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “That’s why we’ve been active in the San Diego case of the cross on Mount Soledad, and we’ll be similarly involved with the Mojave Desert case.”

# # #

The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across America.

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.

More Press Releases

Latest news from TheHumanist.com

Subscribe Today

More Light Than Heat

Glenn Branch

Climate Change Lesson Sets from the National Center for Science Education (NCSE)

The National Center for Science Education

For Further Reading

Various Authors

Chapter Spotlight: HumanistsMN Leads Efforts to Combat Christian Nationalism in Minnesota

Suzanne Perry

Protecting Humanists at Risk: a Review of 2022

Emma Wadsworth-Jones
American Humanist Association
1821 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-238-9088
800-837-3792 (toll-free)
202-238-9003 (fax)
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About the American Humanist Association
  • Are You Humanist?
  • What We Do
  • Key Issues
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Get Involved
  • Report a Violation or Discrimination
  • Press Kit
  • Local Groups
  • Education Center
  • Become a Humanist Celebrant
  • Job and Internship Opportunities
  • Humanist Action Headquarters
  • Sign Up for AHA Emails
  • Privacy Policy
  • Records Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us

©2023 American Humanist Association. All Rights Reserved.

Combined Federal CampaignIndependent Charities of AmericaCharity NavigatorCandid/Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency