The California Court of Appeals Thursday reversed a lower-court decision that had nullified a voter initiative authorizing transfer of the Mt. Soledad National War Memorial to the federal government.
Proposition A -- a measure that authorized the transfer of the land underneath the memorial to the federal government -- was approved by 76 percent of voters in 2005.
The appeals court reversed Superior Court Judge Patricia Cowett's decision that the ballot measure was unconstitutional -- and that the cross had to be removed from the war memorial.
Tim Chandler, litigation counselor for the Alliance Defense Fund, said he's pleased with the appeals court's ruling.
"The people spoke on this issue and now the court has upheld their right to preserve the Mt. Soledad National War Memorial, which honors those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom," Chandler said. "Removal of the cross at Mt. Soledad would have no purpose other than to create heartache for the veterans' families and comrades who cherish their memory."
