Flash forward to 2012.
The Wisconsin based group known as the "Freedom from Religion Foundation" has sent a letter to Woonsocket mayor Leo Fontaine requesting that the memorial, which is on city land, be taken down claiming that because it is on public land, it violates the first amendment; the mayor disagrees.
Over the weekend the mayor and a representative from the foundation appeared on the national Fox News channel in a brief but stern debate. The foundation has suggested that the cross be moved to private property and a secular memorial be placed on public property.
The separation of Church and State is one of the most valued components of the United States Constitution, yet it is one of the most misunderstood... while the phrase, "separation of Church and State" never appears in the Constitution, the first amendment certainly addresses religion.
I invite you to Google the Woonsocket monument, check out the debate on Fox News, and read over the First Amendment and try to determine if the monument violates the law... remember, simply because it has been there a long time doesn't really mean anything in the eyes of the law...
So, does the monument violate the law???
Check out the debate below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqHGqXATnSk