In this suit brought to enforce the constitutional principle that government should not promote religion or endorse religious messages, the ACLU challenged the City of Grand Junction’s decision to erect a granite monument depicting the Ten Commandments in a prominent location at the entrance to the new City Hall building. In response to community controversy and the prospect of litigation, the City posted a "disclaimer" on the monument stating that the City did not intend to endorse any particular religious faith. The City also adopted a plan to create a "cultural heritage plaza" where the Ten Commandments monument would be included with monuments commenorating additional historical texts. After a hearing, the court denied the request for an injunction.
ACLU news release:
- "ACLU Sues to Challenge Ten Commandments at Grand Junction City Hall," ACLU News Release, April 16, 2001
Media:
- "Monument gets disclaimer," The Denver Post, March 21, 2001
- “The City of Grand Junction, Colorado’s Shameful End-Run Around the Constitution,” AnneLandmanBlog, December 12, 2012
ACLU case number
2000-21
