Georgia Court Removes Christian Flag after Just One Complaint

A Wisconsin-based secular group is demanding that a Georgia county courthouse remove the Christian flag it has on display. 

The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the Bryan County courthouse saying that the flag "unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity."

Elizabeth Cavell, state attorney for the group, included pictures in the demand letter showing the flag's exact location in the courtroom, which stood in the back corner of the courtroom to the right of the judge's bench. 

"You must take immediate action and remove this flag from the courthouse," the letter said in part. "The cross has an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Bryan County political outsiders."
 
The letter was addressed to Clerk of Courts Rebecca Crowe who said the court would reluctantly take down the flag. 

"I wished to keep the flag in the courtroom," Crowe posted on the Bryan County News Facebook page. "Unfortunately, it's unconstitutional to have this flag displayed in a government setting. As much as I am against it, I do not wish to cause the taxpayers unnecessary expense in litigation."

Although FFRF's letter did not threaten legal action, it cited several court decisions where judges ruled that displaying a flag on property is "an unconstitutional endorsement of religion."

The group said that one of its 450 Georgia members brought the matter to the FFRF.