City of Hawkins Votes to Sue over Controversial “Jesus” Sign
Posted/updated on: December 9, 2015 at 5:14 pm
HAWKINS — The city of Hawkins has voted to sue a church which recently purchased land where a controversial sign is planted. According to KETK, Mayor Will Rogers says around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, three of the five council members voted to sue Jesus Christ Open Altar Church Limited Liability Corporation: Jackie Rucker, Norma Oglesby, and Sherry Davis. Council Member Wayne Kirkpatrick was absent and Clara Kay abstained. The group recently purchased land where a “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins” sign sits. The site has been under heavy scrutiny as to whether the land is on private property or publicly owned. According to Rogers, the council claims the city still owns the land.
Due to a complaint filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the city planned to remove the sign. The church bought the land in early November in order to protect the sign. A church administrator said in the past the church would defend the sign in “whatever way is necessary.” This included litigation.
