S.D. City Supports Local High School's Snow Plow Bible Message

A city in South Dakota is standing strong in the face of atheist opposition regarding religious signs recently painted on city snow plows by high school students.

High School students in Sioux Falls, South Dakota participate every Fall in a "Paint the Plows" competition where they paint a snow plow to represent their school. Two high schools, including Lutheran High School, painted positive messages relating to Jesus Christ.

Although local atheist Eric Novotny with the Siouxland Freethinkers has complained and demanded that the religious messages be covered, city officials have refused, instead saying that they will add a disclaimer onto the artwork that says the city does not endorse any official religion.

"All 27 of the painted plows will be used this winter for their intended purpose — to provide safe travel to the driving public during snow and ice events," reads a press release from the city, according to The Blaze. "To reinforce the city is not endorsing any particular message or viewpoint expressed on any of the student artwork, each snowplow also will carry a disclaimer."

The disclaimer that will accompany the plows reportedly reads: "The City of Sioux Falls encourages creativity. This 'Paint the Plows' work is created by students. Any message or views expressed are not those of the City or endorsed by the City."

Sioux City's mayor reportedly refused to paint over the plows, saying he nor other government officials would not be responsible for painting over the creativity and hard work expressed by Sioux Falls students.