State lawmakers stepped up in support of “In God We Trust” decals on Childress Police Department vehicles this week, the latest development in a spat between the North Texas law enforcement group and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The police chief’s answer to the foundation meanwhile: “Go fly a kite.”
State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, and state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, sent out statements backing the department that resides in their district.
“I stand firmly with Chief Adrian Garcia and the Childress Police Department as they protect their right to display ‘In God We Trust’ on patrol cars,” Perry said in his statement. “We live in a country with a rich history of celebrating faith and honoring religious liberty. It is un-American to suggest a police department should not be allowed to display our national motto.”
“Our law enforcement officers work hard to keep our communities safe and deserve our support, not demands like this,” Springer said in his statement. “We are in the middle of a spiritual battle in America right now, with the issue of religious liberty front and center. I am proud of Childress Police Department for standing strong.”
The police department put decals on their patrol vehicles in the 6,000-person agricultural community and then received a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation that stands opposed to the national motto, which was adopted in the 1950s.