Freedom From Religion Foundation asks Spur to remove cross from public park

SPUR, TX (KCBD) - Freedom From Religion Foundation asks Spur to remove cross from public park

The Freedom from Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, is in a debate with another West Texas town.

The FFRF is asking the city of Spur to take down a large white cross which sits on a hill in a public park in town.

A letter was sent to Spur's mayor, Steven Bland, asking for the removal of the cross from Swenson Park.

This comes just a few months after the same foundation called on O'Donnell High School to take down a Ten Commandments painting from the school's wall.

It's easy to see the cross as you're driving into town. The Freedom From Religion Foundation claims they heard from a concerned local citizen because those passing by can see it.

We spoke with some local residents who said they would hate to see the cross come down.

"It is a light beacon, like a lighthouse that's up on top of the hill," longtime Spur resident Frances Blackburn said.

Every day, weather permitting, 81-year-old Frances Blackburn walks two miles around Spur.

"Start out early in the morning, go over the hill, stop at the cross, say my little prayers, and then I go on my merry way," Blackburn said.

Her granddaughter, Polly Daza, works at the car wash in town, with a perfect view of the cross in Swenson Park.

"I can look right up and see the cross and I know, God's watching me. So I know I'm ok," Daza said.

These family members say they are disheartened by the letter the Freedom from Religion Foundation sent to the city of Spur.

"We feel secure with the cross here. It's part of Spur, it's part of us," Daza said.

Despite these residents' desire to keep the cross up, the Freedom from Religion Foundation says the permanent display of a cross on public land is unconstitutional.

In the letter, foundation attorney Rebecca Markert says the cross conveys a message to non-Christians saying they aren't "favored members of the political community."

The foundation tells us it was a local resident who complained, though they can't provide an identity.

But Frances and Polly say they can't figure out who it might be.

"I have no idea. They probably came down the street and saw the cross shining on the hill," Blackburn said. "It's so special to all of us here in Spur."

They both say they will fight to keep the cross where it stands on the hill in Swenson Park.

"We come up here and we pray. We love it here, it is beautiful," Daza said.

"I bet you if I could call everybody in Spur to come and line up behind me, they'd do it," Blackburn said. "We're not taking it down."

Spur City Secretary Laura Adams told us city officials cannot comment about the issue at this time.

The FFRF says they haven't heard from the city as far as what they plan to do yet, but they say they will be sending another letter soon.

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