http://www.nbc5.com/news/9736959/detail.html?rss=chi&psp=nationalnewsSAN DIEGO -- The American Civil Liberties Union rejoined a long-running battle over a 29-foot Latin cross standing on public parkland, suing the federal government Thursday, just 10 days after President George W. Bush signed legislation designed to shield the monument from legal challenges.
The bill transferred ownership of the hilltop monument from the city of San Diego to the Department of Defense.
The ACLU complaint, filed in San Diego federal court on behalf of the Jewish War Veterans and individual Jewish and Muslim plaintiffs, charges Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with violating the First Amendment.
The Defense Department referred calls to the Justice Department press office, which did not respond to phone calls late Thursday.