Group fights for removal of cross-shaped WWI memorial

"Fox & Friends" says a cross-shaped World War I memorial is at the center of a brewing controversy.

'A humanist group claims it violates the First Amendment. They filed a federal lawsuit to have it removed from public property. Veterans saying this is a slap in the face.'

The Washington Times says the 40-foot-tall memorial is known as Bladensburg Peace Cross. It honors the 49 residents of Prince George's County, Maryland who died serving their country.

WTTG spoke with a representative from the American Humanist Association who says the fact that the cross sits on government land is what bothers members the most.

The group's website says it's not trying to force people to reject religion, but it 'strongly supports Thomas Jefferson's call for a 'wall of separation between church and state.''

WJLA spoke with some local veterans who aren't happy about the lawsuit.

'If it wasn't for us veterans, they wouldn't have to right to have a protest to start with anyway.'

'Just turn your head, it takes them two seconds to get past it and then they're not offended anymore.'

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission told WJLA it has no plans to tear down the memorial. It has sixty days to respond to the lawsuit.