Reply #135: Utah only allows 3 types of road side memorials

[Synnical]

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=70134

<snip>

"It gives the impression that government is endorsing a religion here," said Michael Rivers, Utah state director of American Atheists. Rivers is listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

"We know the religionists are going to scream at us and say we're discriminating against them. But we're just asking that they play on the same level we do," Rivers said.

UDOT has a policy that allows only three types of roadside memorials -- planting wildflowers along a highway; sponsoring a stretch of road under the Adopt-a-Highway program; and establishing a memorial safety sign with a message such as "Drowsy Driving Kills" and the crash victim's name. But the policy specifically bans placing religious symbols on state rights of way, saying all private memorials will be removed.

The transportation department had not seen the lawsuit Thursday and could not comment on it, said spokesman Brent Wilhite.

Small memorial crosses don't bother me (too much), but 12-foot high ones are ridiculous.