Any possibility that this was a "friendly" law suit? In other words, the fix was in and the Supervisors wanted political cover for a decision they had already made?
Possibility? It's the first thing that came to my mind when I heard of the capitulation. What government body allows itself to be pushed around by private groups with a grudge?
I wonder... are there any lawyers around who could give an opinion as to whether the ACLU's behavior would qualify for a RICO suit?
No. The ACLU delivered a letter of intent to the Board last week. Supervisor Kanabe submitted the following motion at the Board Meeting on May 25 to be voted on June 1:
MOTION
MOLINA __________________________
BURKE __________________________
YAROSLAVSKY __________________________
ANTONOVICH __________________________
KNABE __________________________
SYN. NO. AGN. NO._____ MOTION BY SUPERVISOR DON KNABE June 1, 2004 The ACLU has sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors demanding that a small cross displayed on the official county seal be removed and that a response from our Board be received within 14 days. The ACLU has threatened legal action against the County if the seal is not removed. The official County seal was designed by former Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on March 1, 1957. It has been a symbol of our great county which spans 4,081 square miles and encompasses 10 million residents, making it the largest and most diverse county in the nation. The seal has various symbols representing our County’s diverse and rich history. From agriculture to oil production, from cultural activities to the conquest of space. And it includes a cross representing the influence of the California Missions which was part of the development of our County and the State of California.
Our history cannot be changed and it will not be rewritten. We have a rich and proud history which every person in the County of Los Angeles can be proud, no matter what your religious background. Today the County of Los Angeles is faces a variety of critical issues and the threat of such a lawsuit by the ACLU is clearly a frivolous action and would cause the County of Los Angeles to spend an untold amount of already scarce resources. I therefore move that the Board of Supervisors reiterate its support for our County seal which was adopted 47 years ago; and I further move that the Board of Supervisors direct County Counsel to thoroughly review this matter and begin preparations to protect and defend the County seal if such frivolous litigation is brought against the County.
As of last Friday, the position was that the cross was representative of the history of Los Angeles and not an endorsement of religion. Today, nothing has been issued or changed in the seal. (I work for the County and my friend works in the sign shop.)