A documentary about the Bladensburg WWI Memorial or Peace Cross that was dedicated in 1925 to honor 49 men who fought and died for our country but is in jeopardy of being removed due to a lawsuit filed in 2014 by the American Humanist Association (AHA) and 3 individuals. The AHA consists of Humanists and Atheists who do not believe in God and feel that the Peace Cross is a Christian symbol and inf
ringes on their First Amendment rights so they want it removed regardless of it being a WWI memorial for 89 years. You will gain an understanding and knowledge of the Bladensburg WWI Memorial Cross or Peace Cross by watching “Save the Peace Cross Documentary” and appreciate its significance in order to support its continued existence. The 40 foot Peace Cross was dedicated on July 12, 1925 by the local American Legion and the people of Prince Georges County Maryland to honor 49 residents who fought and died for our Freedom in WWI. It is signifies the ultimate sacrifice by these men for our country and for our freedom. The Peace Cross is located on a small plot of land in a busy intersection where 3 major roads intersect. The roads are Bladensburg Road, Annapolis Road (often referred to as Route 450 or Defense Highway) and Baltimore Avenue (Route 1 – which spans the entire East Coast). The plot of land is now owned by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission but it was owned by the town of Bladensburg when the Peace Cross was constructed in 1925. The monument stands today and looks as it did when it was dedicated. It was constructed with concrete with exposed aggregate along with pink granite and the intention was for it to last as a standing memorial and monument. On February 25, 2014, the American Humanist Association (AHA) along with 3 individuals – Steve Lowe, Fred Edwords and Bishop McNeill filed a lawsuit against the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission to have the Peace Cross removed due to their First Amendment right which deals with freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition. They believe it is unconstitutional for a sectarian religious symbol such as the Bladensburg Memorial Cross or Peace Cross to be displayed on public land. You can read the lawsuit at http://americanhumanist.org/system/storage/2/3f/0/5030/Bladensburg_Cross_-_Complaint.pdf. For more information on the American Humanist Association, visit http://americanhumanist.org/. This documentary walks you through the history behind why the Peace Cross was built and why it was built where it is. It takes a detailed look at the Peace Cross including reviewing many of the lives of the 49 men who are honored on it. You will have a better understanding of the quotes and symbols found on the Peace Cross. The documentary will address the lawsuit in detail which includes interviews with the 3 plaintiffs, some of the key people who are defending the cross and the community. The documentary will explain how the community used the First Amendment which deals with freedom of religion, speech, petition, assembly and press appropriately to defend the Peace Cross. Included in the documentary are several interviews from people who attended and organized ‘The Save the Peace Cross Demonstration’ that was held on May 31, 2014. The documentary will address what other consequences could occur to other monuments and memorials if the Plaintiffs win this lawsuit. As well as, review the process to qualify to be on the National Register of Historic Places. It will analyze the qualification in detail to assist in determining if the Peace Cross would qualify to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Prince George’s County, Maryland. For more information visit the Maryland Historical Trust at http://mht.maryland.gov/nationalregister.html. By the end of the documentary, you will be able to determine for yourself if the Peace Cross is a religious cross or a memorial cross and whether it should stay or be removed. By watching the documentary, you will gain an understanding and knowledge of the Bladensburg WWI Memorial Cross or Peace Cross so you can appreciate its significance and support its continued existence.
