Crosses have always been a symbol of hope for Christians worldwide. They know that God is with them when they see a cross and everything will be okay. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same way. Some see the cross as an imposition of religion. Dozens of Elizabethton, Tennessee, residents are protesting after atheist activists demanded the removal of three crosses from purportedly public lands.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) wants officials to remove the decades-old crosses on the top of Lynn Mountain. The atheist group claims that the presence of religious symbols on city-owned land violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, WJHL-TV reported. FFRF legal fellow Karen Heineman told WJHL-TV, “They are crosses up there by themselves,” FFRF legal fellow Karen Heineman told the outlet. “They seem to have a pretty obviously Christian message.”

She continued, “They have no other obvious meaning or other messages with them, and it sends, I think, a pretty obvious message of endorsement of Christianity.” However, some disagree with that sentiment. First Liberty Institute, a nonprofit conservative legal firm, has offered pro bono representation to the city and has asserted no constitutional violation is in play. Officials wrote to Elizabethton officials saying, “There is no indication the Lynn Mountain cross display runs afoul of the Constitution. The display’s reported history and tradition alone make that clear.”

Reportedly, a group of boys in the 1950s placed the crosses on the property for their Easter project for church. The Johnson City Press noted the crosses have become a staple in the community and are often lighted up at Christmastime. The FFRF supposedly first complained about the display in 2018 and is now renewing its call for removal.

Some residents have defended the crosses and have said removal won’t be a popular option among many locals. Dozens gathered to protest over the weekend, carrying signs that read, “Don’t take them down. I’m a Christian. I stand for the crosses.” A church in the community has also reportedly already begun creating a cross display in defense of the embattled crosses on Lynn Mountain. According to WJHL-TV, Hunter Memorial Baptist Church constructed the 16-foot tall and 7-foot wide monument miles from where the embattled display has long stood.

The house of worship originally planned to display the crosses for Easter but sped up efforts after learning of the FFRF’s complaint. Doug Hartley, the Hunter Memorial Baptist Church pastor, encouraged people to be kind in their disagreement over the matter and to point people toward Jesus.

“I hope that we can be gentle in sharing Christ and show his love and not be a competition out here of right and wrong,” Hartley told WJHL-TV. “People see Jesus Christ through this act. Wherever people are protesting, I pray they do it in love, and I pray that they do it so that Christ will get the glory.”

Elizabethton city officials have been quiet about plans for the crosses since receiving the second FFRF warning. The crosses displayed on Lynn Mountain have been in place for decades and have become a community pillar. Hopefully, there can be a compromise where the crosses can remain.