Colorado subdivision bans Christmas wreath with peace sign some consider satanic

DENVER (AP) - A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident US$25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believe it is a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.

“Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up,” he said in a telephone interview Sunday.

Lisa Jensen said she wasn’t thinking of the war when she hung the wreath.

She said: “Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing.”

Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000 and doubts the association will be able to make her pay. But she said she’s not going to take it down until after Christmas.

“Now that it has come to this I feel I can’t get bullied,” she said.

“What if they don’t like my Santa Claus.”

The association in the 200-home subdivision 435 kilometres southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying residents were offended by the sign and the board “will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive.”

The subdivision’s rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.

Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath but members refused after concluding it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn’t say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members.

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