Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt attended oral arguments Wed., Feb. 27 in a case in which Kansas and other states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect historical veterans memorials containing religious symbolism on public property, such as preventing the tearing down or relocation of memorials in the shape of a cross to honor American service members who died in WWI nearly 100 years ago.

Schmidt said that the argument made it clear that the Supreme Court continues to struggle on articulating the boundary between what the Constitution allows and what it prohibits in terms of passive religious symbols on public property. He said he is hopeful the court will use this case to give clearer guidance to minimize future litigation and protect historical markers and memorials that are important to many Kansans. A decision in the case is expected by the end of June.

(AP Photo Courtesy of Orlin Wagner)