Atheist group sues over cross at Sept. 11 museum

NEW YORK – A group representing atheists says the installation of a cross-shaped beam at the Sept. 11 museum is unconstitutional.

The American Atheists filed the suit in Manhattan State Supreme Court on Wednesday. The group says the museum is a public institution and should not reflect a specific religion. It asks for a judge to either order the cross removed or order that other religions be represented equally.

Memorial President Joe Daniels says the museum's mission is to tell the history of Sept. 11 through artifacts like the cross.

The cross days has been blessed by a Catholic priest and brought from a temporary home to a spot north of the memorial where it will become part of the museum's permanent collection.