Coos Bay Veterans Memorial Attacked

Liberty Institute Attorneys Decry Opponents' Intimidation of Communities To Tear Down Veterans Memorials

COOS BAY, Ore., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Liberty Institute issues the following statement regarding an incident this past weekend when someone placed an improvised explosive device (IED) next to the Coos Bay Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Liberty Institute assists the city of Coos Bay, Oregon, in evaluating demand letters received from the ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation questioning the constitutionality of this veterans memorial.

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"We unfortunately are now to the point where explosive devices are being placed next to crosses; these people will stop at nothing to intimidate communities to tear down their veterans memorials," said Hiram Sasser, Liberty Institute's Director of Litigation. "We are relieved that no one was hurt during this outrageous act of violence, especially since the memorial is right next to the area where many children play."

A few months ago, someone vandalized the memorial.  Someone drew a perforated line at the base of the memorial's cross with the word "cut" written above it and an arrow pointing to the line. The word "remove" was written in the middle of the cross.

"Liberty Institute will not be intimidated. We will not back down when it comes to honoring the First Amendment, and we will continue to assist the City of Coos Bay in any way we can," Sasser added.

About Liberty Institute

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to restoring and defending religious liberty across America – in our schools, for our churches, and throughout the public arena. Liberty Institute's vision is to reestablish liberty in accordance with the principles of our nation's founders. Visit www.LibertyInstitute.org for more information.

SOURCE Liberty Institute