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Va. AG: Counties Can Display Holiday Symbols

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By Rebecca Blatt

Virginia's attorney general says local governments can put up religiously themed holiday displays, provided groups with other beliefs are allowed to display their holiday symbols.

The opinion comes in response to a controversy in Loudoun County.

Loudoun County Supervisors were set to debate in September whether holiday displays should be allowed at the county courthouse.

It has been a controversial issue since a citizen's committee banned all holiday displays there in December.

Republican state Delegate Bob Marshall asked Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to weigh in.

Cuccinelli says localities are free to recognize holidays -- including Christmas -- as long as it is clear the county itself is not communicating a religious message.

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