Removal of statue fought
GREENSBORO, Ga. (AP) – A Greensboro spiritual counselor is considering suing the city after workers confiscated a 6-foot-tall, half-ton statue of Jesus from his front yard. City officials say the life-size statue violates zoning restrictions ordinance and threatens public safety. The ordinance cited by city officials prohibits signs without words in residential areas.
Owner Nickie Marks, though, calls it an expression of his faith. He and his attorney argue that by removing the statue, the city is violating his free speech rights.
“I just want my statue back in my yard,” Marks said. “Why would they move it? It wasn’t hurting anybody. People actually liked it – they have been very supportive of our case.”