Atheism sign vandalized again in Arlington Heights park
An atheism sign installed as part of the holiday display at North School Park in Arlington Heights has been damaged by vandals for the second year in a row, and the group that placed it there is offering a $2,000 reward to find out who is responsible.
"It seems there is no peace, good will to all in Arlington Heights," Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Chicago chapter, said in a statement issued Monday. "This is not just a heckler's veto, it's an attack on free speech in a public forum that is supposed to be open to all. This vandalism says the park belongs only to Christians - everyone else is an outsider."
The organization's solstice sign and a large "A" (for atheism) light display sat in the park near a privately funded Nativity scene. The two displays were approved by the Arlington Heights Park District under a policy created in 2012, after a request for a Nativity scene in the park stirred controversy.
Legally, if the park district allows one type of religious display on its property, it cannot exclude others or atheistic displays, officials have said. The policy requires that the groups behind the displays clearly post that they are not paid for or supported by the park district.
The atheism sign was also vandalized on Christmas Eve in 2013.
Now, leaders of the Freedom From Religion Foundation are asking the park district to again change its rules.
"I have contacted the park district to let them know of the damage and encourage them once again to cease this public forum due to the divisiveness of religious displays on public property," said Tom Cara, chapter director.
Park District Executive Director Steve Scholten did not return a call for comment Monday afternoon.
According to the district's policy, groups are responsible for maintenance of their own signs and displays.
Cara said he has reported the vandalism to the Arlington Heights police. He believes that because perpetrators targeted the group's nonreligious message, the vandalism qualifies as a felony under Illinois hate crime legislation.