American Legion v. American Humanist Association

On February 27, 2019, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, a hotly contested constitutional case regarding the display of religious symbols on public land. The Court was asked whether a 93-year-old memorial to community members who were killed during World War I is unconstitutional because it is shaped like a cross. The Court is also considering whether the use of public funds to maintain a religious symbol on public land endorses religion. Veteran constitutional attorney Erica Dubno discusses this case at length as well as its implications for other religious symbols on public property.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the history and procedural path of this important constitutional case, including the process for taking a case to the Supreme Court
2. Consider the constitutional issues from different perspectives
3. Appreciate the approaches of individual Supreme Court Justices
4. Determine possible consequences of the decision and its impact on the separation of church and state