Commanding Decision

By Elisabeth Kauffman Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003
    • Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore Lost the battle to keep his beloved Ten Commandments monument on view. Last week "Roy's Rock," left, was moved to a back room of his courthouse. But his struggle is not the only one of its kind. Court challenges have been made against Ten Commandments displays on public lands or in government buildings in at least 14 states. Although displays in Tennessee, Kentucky and Wisconsin were ordered removed, others in Texas and Pennsylvania were permitted to stay.

    PENNSYLVANIA In June, a bronze plaque, displayed since 1920 in the Chester County courthouse, was allowed to remain. An appeals court ruled that it had historical significance as part of the building

    WASHINGTON A lawsuit filed in July claims that the presence of this 43-year-old plaque in front of the police station in Everett implies that the state endorses religion. The city says it is part of a historical site

    TEXAS A slab on the grounds of the capitol in Austin was allowed to stay. A judge ruled last October that the monument's location did not indicate religious endorsement by the state

    OHIO Despite vigorous demonstrations, these 800-lb. monuments in front of four schools were removed in June after a judge ruled that displaying them there was unconstitutional