Peace on Earth, but Not for Display!

A rather interesting occurrence in Denver Colorado is making headlines due to a homeowner's installation and display of a particular Christmas wreath. The wreath is considered offensive to many of Laura Jensen's neighbors and she is being threatened with a $25 fine per day until it is removed.

Just what is so offensive about the wreath? It is shaped like a peace sign.

That's right, a wreath that is intended to promote peace has caused a disruption in Jensen's neighborhood and neighbors want it gone. Apparently, to promote peace is really to promote disruption.

Jensen's neighbors say that the wreath is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

Residents who have complained are those who have children serving in Iraq.

Apparently, only three or four residents have complained, however, that is enough to spark the interest of the press.
Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association said that if you let one sign that promotes bomb dropping on Iraq, you have to let all the signs go. Therefore, Jensen has been asked to remove her wreath.

Jensen said she wasn't even thinking about the war when she displayed the wreath. She said it was more of a spiritual thing and that peace is way bigger than not being at war.

Jensen is a past association president and calculates that the fines will end up costing her approximately $1000.
She doubts she will have to pay, but she is not taking the wreath down until after Christmas.

Jensen resolutely stated "Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied, What if they don't like my Santa Claus?"

The problem is that the subdivision's rules clearly state no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.

Although Kearns had ordered that the committee mandate Jensen's removal of the wreath, members refused after concluding it was merely a seasonal symbol.

A seasonal symbol with no written words could not be found all together offensive, especially one that is only displayed for a brief period of time according to the committee members.

We would expect Kearns to let it go.

He didn't.

He fired all five committee members.

They were asked to resign actually because they disagreed with board of directors. Jack Lilly, the chairman of the committee stated that anyone who disagreed with the board was asked to resign and so they all did.

Jensen's story was also covered by the Durango Herald in Colorado. Lisa was quoted as saying, "I just wanted to put a message of peace out there." On November 19, she hung the wreath intending it to be a peaceful symbol. Jensen said the never intended to go against the Iraqi war.

The deadline that was given was Friday; however, no fine has appeared yet. Jensen was also unsure of how the collection of the fine would be enforced.

Kearns also told the Herald that another property owner had been asked to remove a peace symbol a week before. That homeowner had immediately complied.

The other property owner had sunk skis crossed to make a peace symbol in his driveway. The neighbor was informed that he had offended other neighbors who thought the symbol was inappropriately placed during a time of war.

Kearns also told the Herald that the sign had a lot of negativity associated with it and that is also an anti-Christ sign. Kearns said that was how it really got started.

According to the Symbol Sourcebook: An authoritative Guide to International Graphic Symbols, there is uncertainty associated with the 'crow's foot' design.

The origin of the ubiquitous peace symbol involves its introduction by a pacifist during Easter of 1958 by Lord Bertrand Russell. Russell was marching at Aldermaston, England, campaigning for nuclear disarmament.

Dreyfuss said the symbol represents a convergence of the semaphore symbols for the letter D and the circle symbol for nuclear disarmament. Others have claimed the symbol represents an upside down cross with broken arms which is anti-Christian or satanic.

Interestingly enough, Jensen claimed her intentions were to honor the Biblical call for peace and goodwill toward men.

Jensen also noted that the board had singled out the display and as a former president of the board, she admitted that the board was "pretty vitriolic."

Kearns also said Jensen were notified of the decision via a letter attached to an email stating the board's courtesy and respect. Indeed, Kearns claims those he contacted for legal advice has laughed at the idea of allowing the display of a peace symbol.