Christian Display At Daley Plaza Vandalized
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A religious display set up at Daley Plaza appears to have been vandalized sometime Tuesday night, according to the organization that displayed it.
A display set up outside at 50 W. Washington St. by the Thomas More Society — a not-for-profit law firm that aims to "restore respect in law for life, marriage, and religious liberty" — was defaced sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, according to a statement from the organization.
The display, including a 19-foot-tall cross and a 10-foot tall image of Jesus, was set up April 17 and was intended to stay up for nine days as part of a "Jesus in Daley Plaza" program sponsored by the society.
A spokesman for the group said the damage appeared to be done with a knife or other sharp object. He said the organization was unsure whether the alleged vandalism was caught on camera.
"No display — whether religious, political, or artistic — should be destroyed by those who disagree with the message," said Jocelyn Floyd, an attorney with the society, according to the statement.
"Free speech and expression of faith is protected by the First Amendment. Destruction of others' speech is not," she said.
Police had not received a report of the vandalism Wednesday night.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)