The Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin removed a cross on the first floor conference room wall of the Highway Patrol Headquarters, after a concerned employee filed a complaint with FFRF. This location is where most regular meetings take place.
FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover sent a letter on July 8, informing the DPS that this large cross is unquestionably a religious symbol and sends the unmistakable message that the department endorses Christianity over all other religions and religion over non religion.
“The Latin cross in the DPS Highway Patrol Division’s conference room sends a divisive message that turns non-Christian and nonreligious employees into outsiders in their own community and workplace.”
On August 11, after initially attempting to justify this display as nonreligious, the Department informed FFRF that it would remove the illegal cross.