STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -
Wheeling attorney, James Bordas, of Bordas and Bordas Law Firm, has now offered to represent the City of Steubenville for free, if they choose to take on the Wisconsin based group, Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).
The FFRF threatened legal action over the use of a cross and silhouette of the chapel at Franciscan University of Steubenville in the cities official logo.
"Crosses do not belong on the logos of American cities. We are not a 'Christian nation' or a theocracy, but were first among nations to adopt a secular constitution wisely separating religion from government," said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
Bordas believes the city is being bullied. He says the FFRF is wrong, and it all boils down to the purpose of the City of Steubenville.
"This is not the predominant sign, this is just one of many," Bordas said of the cross and chapel in the logo. "If this was the cross and cross alone, I think they have an argument, but that's not the case."
Bordas and Bordas is the largest plaintiff's firm in West Virginia and they have the resources to take on the group and whoever else joins the fight.
Bordas expects the ACLU to come in with "guns loaded", but said his firm is not the least bit concerned.
Last week, the FFRF claimed victory after the city agreed to remove the cross from their logo, but the city is now weighing their options after an outpouring of support and offers from lawyers and groups who want to help. A petition to keep the logo was also given to city council in their meeting on Tuesday.
Thursday, the FFRF sent out a release warning the city not to be "duped" by religious right groups offering them pro-bono help.
City Manager, Kathy Davison, told 7News this week that the city had not yet come to any conclusions about what they will do.
Bordas said he plans to attend a meeting with the city and some of the national groups offering their help on August 14th. A lawyer with the Franciscan University of Steubenville is also offering his help. Bordas is hoping they can all work together on this.
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