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ACLJ & Thousands of Americans to Send Protest Letter to NBC for Cutting "Under God" From Pledge at U.S. Open Tribute

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law, said today it is sending a letter of protest to NBC after the network cut the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance during a patriotic tribute of the U.S. Open. The network, not once, but twice, edited out the phrase "under God" in a televised feature Sunday highlighting the fact that the golf tournament was being held near the nation's capital.

"The fact is by trying to pay tribute to our nation and its heritage, NBC crossed a troubling line and offended millions of Americans by cutting the phrase 'under God' from the Pledge of Allegiance," said Jordan Sekulow, Director of Policy and International Relations at the ACLJ. "The phrase 'under God' is not a throw-away line, an afterthought. It's been a critical part of the Pledge for more than half a century - a time-honored tradition. NBC admits to editing out the phrase and its brief apology hours later was too little, too late. NBC and the USGA spent a great deal of time and money chronicling the history and heritage of America's most prestigious golf event. You'd think they'd get it - that America's history and heritage must be chronicled correctly - and that includes keeping the phrase - 'under God' - in the Pledge of Allegiance."

The ACLJ, which defends the constitutionality of the Pledge and the phrase 'under God' in courtrooms across America, will send NBC and the USGA a Letter of Protest over the Pledge incident. Thousands of Americans are expected to sign on to the Letter of Protest, which is available on aclj.org.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Print: Gene Kapp (757) 575-9520
For Broadcast: Christy Lynn Wilson or Todd Shearer (770) 813-0000

SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice