Open Records Request Will Be Pursued
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dotty Griffith, Public Education Director, ACLU Foundation of Texas
(713) 942-8146 x 103 or (832) 291-4776; [email protected]
HOUSTON – The ACLU of Texas on Sunday thanked the private developer who ordered sectarian symbols removed from a public university tower marking the entrance to the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus.
“We are gratified that the symbols have been removed from the Tower of Hope because sectarian symbols can be divisive and unwelcoming to those of different faiths and non-believers,” said Terri Burke, ACLU of Texas Executive Director. “We still expect a response to our open records requests about the funding, design, and ownership of the tower because a Christian symbol positioned near the TAMU-San Antonio seal on a building that is the gateway to a public university raises First Amendment concerns.”
On Friday, the ACLU of Texas filed open records requests with TAMU-SA and the City of San Antonio. On Saturday, local news media reported that the symbols had been removed.
Developer Ralph Lampman with VTLM Group was quoted in news reports saying that he ordered the crosses removed after a TAMU-SA faculty member complained about the religious symbols.Criminology professor Sissy Bradford, as well as some students, publicly questioned the placement as a First Amendment violation.
“Sissy Bradford’s stand to uphold the principles in the U.S. Constitution took great courage,” said Burke. “We also realize that this is a sensitive issue for many and that the removal of the crosses may be disappointing to some. We urge restraint, dialogue and mutual understanding and applaud the dedication of all concerned to the principles of religious freedom on which this country was founded,” added Burke.
