Suits Against Las Cruces For Using Crosses In City Logo Pending

The Las Cruces Sun-News yesterday reported on developments in a federal lawsuit that had been filed last September challenging the presence of three crosses in the official emblem of the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. (See prior posting.) The question is whether the city is violating the establishment clause in spending public funds to put the crosses on city logos and city buildings. In the latest development, plaintiffs are challenging a report by New Mexico State University history professor Jon Hunner, who was selected to provide the court with a history of the city's symbol. Plaintiff Paul Weinbaum says the report is tainted by a conflict of interest because Hunner was also providing a similar report to the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau. The city has spent $16,000 in legal fees so far. Trial in the case is set for Nov. 27. Another case against the Las Cruces Public Schools for its use of crosses on its vehicles and logos is also pending.