The small town of King, North Carolina had to say goodbye to an iconic local statue after one Army veteran complained about it’s religions undertones.
Due to rising legal fees in their fight against the veteran, the town has decided to ditch the statue of a soldier kneeling before a cross.
With help from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Steven Hewett, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, argued the statue violated his constitutional rights and was an apparent endorsement of Christianity.
One city councilman voiced his frustrations to a local Fox affiliate, saying that he had to set aside his beliefs and think of the best interests of the town.
“I can’t put that financial burden on the city,” Councilman Charles Allen said after being told by an insurance company that the city would lose its insurance policies.
“I’m not voting my conscience but on financial sense,” he added.
The town will also stop flying flags that feature religious symbols and reimburse Hewitt’s legal expenses, which total near half a million dollars.
