The Edmond Sun

July 4, 2009

ACLU files response to appeal


TULSA, Okla. — The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a Denver appeals court to deny a request by Haskell County commissioners to reconsider its decision last month against a Ten Commandments monument.

The commissioners two weeks ago asked all 12 judges of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revisit the decision of a three-judge panel that concluded that the monument for the courthouse lawn violates the U.S. Constitution.

The appeals court concluded that the monument is unconstitutional because its primary effect is to endorse religion.

The Tulsa World reports that in response, the ACLU disputed the commissioners' contention that the June 8 decision directly conflicts with Supreme Court precedent.

The ACLU and a Haskell County resident challenged the 8-foot monument, which the commissioners approved.

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com