The Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport reversed course late Monday and ordered 14 Christmas trees to be put back up in the airport, following their removal on Saturday.
The airport had removed the trees last weekend, after a local rabbi threatened to sue the airport for refusing to include a Jewish menorah along with the Christmas-tree display. Instead of adding the menorah, the airport chose to remove the display.
Officials received word Monday afternoon that Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky's organization, Chabad Lubavitch, will not file a lawsuit.
"Given that, the holiday trees (were replaced) as quickly as possible," said Port of Seattle Airport President Patricia Davis.
Mat Staver, president of Liberty Counsel, praised the airport officials for their latest action. The religious-liberties attorney had offered them free legal assistance to resolve the dispute.
"I think the airport officials saw that they didn't need to react so strongly," Staver told CitizenLink. "Secondly, they also recognized that the majority of the American people said they disagreed with the airport. This underscores that people don't want Christmas to be censored."
Staver said the entire situation had been "an overreaction" and "unnecessary."
"The rabbi's demands are legally baseless," he added. "The Constitution clearly does not require the removal of Christmas trees."
What made the situation all the more puzzling, Staver said, is the fact that Christmas trees have always been recognized as secular symbols by the United States Supreme Court.
Even if they were bona fide religious displays, however, their placement in the airport would have been legal. Moreover, adding a menorah would also have been legal.
"Certainly, it would have not have been a bad thing to honor the rabbi's request," Staver said, "nor would it be a bad thing to include a Nativity scene -- in fact, that would be something, I think, most people would welcome."
Airport officials said they will not add a menorah this year, but did not rule out having one in Sea-Tac during next year's display.
"A key element in moving forward will be to work with the rabbi and other members of the community to develop a plan for next year's holiday decorations at the airport," the officials said in a statement.
