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Woman Sues Lehigh County Over Presence Of The Cross In County's Seal

LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- It's the emblem of Lehigh County, displayed on government buildings and on official documents. "I get it with my water bill. I get it with my garbage," said resident John Pearson.

Look closely, and you see why the county seal and flag don't fly for everyone, including Candace Winkler. "The cross is literally a symbol of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. There's a constitutional law for the separation of church and state. It's very clear to me," she said.

Earlier this week, Winkler, along with three other Lehigh County residents, and The Freedom From Religion Foundation, filed a federal lawsuit against the county.

It alleges the Latin cross at the center of the seal violates the 1st and 14th Amendments and excludes those who are not religious. "I do pay taxes. I think my voice matter and the constitutionality of the issue matters," Winkler said.

Some residents, like Pearson, want the seal to stay the same. "I've lived her for 38 years and I think it's fine," he said. "If they want to add two seals, that's fine, but don't take what's good off. The cross if good."

Similar lawsuits have been filed across the country, saws attorney John Dorsey of the Power Ten Legal Group, who is not related to the case. "Anytime you raise an issue where government seems to be endorsing one religion to the exclusion of others, it can be interpreted as infringing on their right to be free from whatever religion."

The plaintiffs hope the county will either remove the cross from its seal, or change it completely.

In a previous letter to the foundation, county officials wrote:

"It is the position of Lehigh County that the presence of the cross on the seal, among other items of historical significance, has the secular purpose of recognizing the history of the county."

As a result, they said they don't plan to remove the cross from the county seal. Eyewitness News also reached out to county officials for an updated statement. The county solicitor says his office does not comment on pending litigation.

 

 

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