Log In

Viewfinder: The 40-Foot Cross at the Heart of a Supreme Court Case Over Separation of Church and State

Author:: Pacific Standard Staff
Publish date:: Mar 1, 2019

A 40-foot cross that honors 49 fallen World War I soldiers from Prince George's County, Maryland, stands at the busy intersection of Bladensberg and Annapolis roads and Baltimore Avenue on February 28th, 2019, in Bladensburg, Maryland. The cross is at the heart of a Supreme Court case argued by justices this week about whether the symbol runs afoul of the First Amendment's ban on government establishment of religion by sending a message of favoritism to Christianity.
(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Viewfinder is Pacific Standard's daily photo feature, showcasing one image from the news.

Protesters attend a rally held by the group Our Children's Trust on October 29th, 2018, outside the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Viewfinder

Worshipers attend Sunday service in the parking lot of Hiland Park Baptist Church on October 14th, 2018, in Panama City, Florida. The church building was damaged by Hurricane Michael.

The installation Poppies: Weeping Window opens at the Imperial War Museum in London on October 4th, 2018, its final destination in a United Kingdom-wide tour. Composed of several thousand handmade ceramic poppies, the sculpture honors those lost in World War I, which ended 100 years ago next month.

Viewfinder

Composed of several thousand handmade ceramic poppies, the sculpture honors those lost in World War I, which ended 100 years ago next month.

Protesters opposed to the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh gather outside the office of Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) prior to a scheduled meeting between Thune and Kavanaugh on Capitol Hill on August 1st, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

News in Brief

Protesters gathered outside the office of Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) prior to a scheduled meeting between Thune and Kavanaugh.

Ashley Schuck of Nevada places a medal from Saturday's Vegas Strong 5k on a cross set up for shooting victim Neysa Tonks on October 1st, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Retired carpenter Greg Zanis, who installed 58 crosses last year—one for each person killed—set up the memorial again with new crosses for the massacre's anniversary. On October 1st, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, killing 58 people and injuring more than 800 in the deadliest mass shooting event in modern United States history.

Viewfinder

Retired carpenter Greg Zanis, who installed 58 crosses last year—one for each person killed—set up the memorial again with new crosses for the massacre's anniversary.

Viewfinder

Harvey Weinstein arrives at the New York State Supreme Court on October 11th, 2018, in New York City, a year after the sexual assault and harassment charges against him broke.

Viewfinder: The 40-Foot Cross at the Heart of a Supreme Court Case Over Separation of Church and State

Viewfinder: Climate Protests at the Supreme Court

Viewfinder: Holding Church Service in the Wake of Hurricane Michael

Viewfinder: The Weeping Window Exhibition Finishes Its U.K. Tour

Viewfinder: Protesters Gather on Capitol Hill to Oppose Supreme Court Judge Nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Viewfinder: Crosses Mark the Las Vegas Massacre Anniversary

Viewfinder: Harvey Weinstein Goes to Court