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Protest Causes Return Of 10 Commandments Monument

A protest led by the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization caused the Allegany County commissioners to hastily order the return of a Ten Commandments monument back to the county courthouse lawn just two days after they had removed it.

CHCO President Edward Taylor, Jr., organized a rally in front of the courthouse in Cumberland October 2 to protest the removal of the 5-foot monument the day before.

The commissioners had moved the monument to nearby private property to avoid a possible First Amendment lawsuit.

But the day after the rally, which received nationwide media attention, the commissioners ordered the monument returned to the courthouse lawn.

“We are pleased we played a major role in restoring Our Lord’s Ten Commandments where they belong,” said Mr. Taylor.  

“The monument is an icon of our nation’s judicial system; our laws are built upon the Ten Commandments.”

The commissioners had removed the monument to prevent a lawsuit like those filed in Texas and elsewhere on the grounds that such displays violate the constitutional prohibition against state-sponsored religion.

They now say they will await the ruling of the Supreme Court, which has decided to hear the Texas case.

In the meantime, CHCO has offered to take possession of the ground immediately beneath the monument and assume legal liability for it.