ACLU objects to village’s logo

Posted on September 3, 2005

The New Mexico chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is objecting to the new logo for the Village of Tijeras. Some village residents are objecting to the ACLU.

At issue is the village seal, an image containing depictions of a conquistador’s helmet, a sword and a Catholic rosary. It’s the last item that has the ACLU concerned.

stoptheaclu
Well, of course its the last item the ACLU is concerned about. No cross can be tolerable. Now, a pagan goddess, that would be a different story. But, absolutely no crosses.

“Religious minorities cannot be made to feel like outsiders simply because the government endorses in an unenlightened way the majority faith,” says Peter Simonson, the executive director of the New Mexico ACLU.

I want to point out the use of the word “unenlightened”. Apparantly Mr. Peter Simonson must be enlightenened in order to make this call. A typical elititist statement from an ACLU lawyer.

“It’s part of the culture that has been the Village of Tijeras for centuries,” argues Mayor Gloria Chavez, who later said, “the response I got from people is fight it, don’t sit back.”

“I don’t see why this needs to be an issue or an episode,” said Tijeras resident Norm Scott. “This has nothing to do with the first amendment or my civil liberties. This has something to do with people having nothing better to do.”

Simonson has said the ACLU would rather settle this disagreement without taking any legal action. But on Thursday, Simonson said that village officials are not listening to reason and he may have to resort to the courts.

I’m glad the people have the guts to stand up the ACLU on this one. Too many times the ACLU bullies these things outside the Courts because the village can’t afford the enormous costs to defend themselves in court. Mr. Norm Scott is correct, it is about them having nothing else to do. They search out cases like this. Is there anyone in this village who was actually offended by this? It’s been the way it is for decades. It has nothing to do with establishing a religion. Are these people being forced to be Catholic or something? Did I miss that?

If the case winds up before a judge, the legal precedent will be on the ACLU’s side: In 1985 the ACLU successfully sued Bernalillo County to have a Spanish cross removed from the county’s seal. That cross has been replaced with a Zia.

Hey, I’ve got an idea for a new village logo…its up at the top of my blog.

Linked at Cafe Oregano’s Weekend Buffet, Basil’s all day pic-nic, Idepundit’s Liberty Call, Point Five, My Vast Rightwing Conspiracy and Wizbang’s Carnival Of Trackbacks

» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Church And State

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Comments

2 Responses to “ACLU objects to village’s logo”

Fox 2! on September 3rd, 2005 10:06 am

Isn’t the zia a religious symbol? When I was living in Albuquerque several years ago, some pueblo tribe was talking about suing the state for appropriating their religious symbology.

Or is only Judeo-Christian, and especially Catholic, symbology that is objectionable?
Jay on September 3rd, 2005 10:39 am

I believe it is…I did a quick search last night and couldn’t find any info. I may try to research that again today. If anyone else knows, let me know.