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Atheist Group Considering Legal Action Against Indiana Cross

Veronica Elliot September 03, 2014 02:41 PM EST

The moon is seen behind the Orthodox church Christ the Saviour in Pristina, Serbia, April 13, 2007. The U.S. government cannot trade a parcel of land to private hands to allow a Christian cross to remain in the middle of a vast federal preserve, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday. | Photo: Reuters/Hazir Reka)

An atheist group objecting to a cross statue in an Indiana state park announced Wednesday that it may be considering a lawsuit.

Although Indiana Governor Mike Pence says he support the 14-inch cross statue that sits in Whitewater Memorial State Park in the town of Liberty, the Freedom From Religion Foundation said Wednesday it may take legal action against the state's Department of Natural Resources and its failure to remove the cross.

Rebecca Markert, an attorney for the FFRF, told WANE-TV that although her group is considering legal action, it can be difficult to find local plaintiffs who will represent the lawsuit because many are afraid of retribution from their community.

"It can be difficult for plaintiffs, especially in situations like these where the issue is so emotionally charged," Markert told the local media outlet Wednesday. "It's not easy sometimes for people to come out of the closet as an atheist in a community that is devoutly Christian or religious."

The cross sits in Whitewater Memorial State Park as an homage to World War II veterans, and is accompanied by a carved wooden sculpture of a bald eagle.

Gov. Pence released a statement earlier this week supporting the cross, saying: "The Constitutions of our state and nation more than allow the placement of this Hoosier artist's sculpture on public land. So long as I am Governor, I will defend the right of Hoosiers to display this sculpture in Whitewater Memorial State Park as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of all who have worn the uniform of the United States."

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