New Mexico City Las Cruces (The Crosses) Sued for having Crosses on City Emblem

The New Mexico City of Las Cruces (Spanish for "The Crosses") includes three crosses on the city emblem. Governor Bill Richardson, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, stated it represents a historical event and is a point of pride for Las Cruces residents.

The lawsuit makes several claims. It states "The crosses serve no governmental purpose other than to disenfranchise and discredit non-Christian citizens." Paperwork with the emblem violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by including the emblem on job applications. Sending items with the symbol to a private residence invades the privacy of homes with government-sponsored proselytizing. Also, the plaintiffs Paul F. Weinbaum and Martin J. Boyd stated that it adversely effects their feelings - they feel excluded from public participation in government activities because of the emblem..

Lawsuit seeks removal of crosses from Las Cruces city logo