ACLJ Offers Assistance to Defend Cities and Counties from ACLU Lawsuits Targeting Religious Symbols in Government Seals.

WASHINGTON -- The American Center for Law and Justice, which specializes in constitutional law, said today it is offering assistance to any city or county threatened with legal action by the American Civil Liberties Union to remove religious references from city or county government seals. The ACLJ said it is making an offer to assist in defending the seals because the ACLJ believes such symbols are constitutional and that the ACLU should not go unchecked in its effort to re-write history.

"It is troubling that the ACLU is attempting to bully communities across America into changing a part of their history," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "The symbol of the cross included in many city and county seals represents an important historical reference for many of these communities. The ACLU is trying to re-write history by applying pressure tactics with a flawed legal strategy to have these symbols removed. We stand ready to assist in defending any city or county that is threatened by the ACLU to remove such historical references from their seals."

The ACLJ offered assistance to Los Angeles County to defend its seal, which includes a cross. The ACLU threatened a lawsuit unless the county removes the cross, which reflects the history of the origin of the county. County officials, however, have decided to remove the cross rather than defend it in court.

"We know the ACLU will not stop with Los Angeles County," said Sekulow. "The ACLU will continue to threaten other communities and we will be ready to assist in defending the history and symbols of cities and counties."

The ACLJ says it is preparing a legal memorandum that focuses on the constitutionality of such symbols and a letter to be sent to cities and counties, which have crosses in their government seals - communities that may become targets of the ACLU. The ACLJ said it stands ready to assist any community in defending its symbols and history from legal challenges by the ACLU.

The American Center for Law and Justice provides its legal services free of charge and is challenging the ACLU in a number of cases involving the constitutional display of the Ten Commandments in communities across America.

The ACLJ is based in Washington, D.C. and its website address is www.aclj.org.