Antifa Threatens to Tear Down “Racist” College Cross, Christians Unite In Defense

Antifa is pushing for a cross to be taken down on the campus of New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon.

To Antifa, and their pantomimes, the cross represents racism.

But the school and the Church at large is not having it.

Last Friday, hundreds of Christians came to pray over the campus. Tim Ravan with Global Connectors was among those who were praying and told CBN News that “without intercession…nothing happens.” According to Ravan, even non-believers came to show support.

“There is a strong core of people standing for what is right…This is kingdom business and the church has to be awakened. We are standing for the cross…Cars were driving by, honking their horns and people were saying thank you. Non-believers were there to support the school. People were really responding, standing up and doing something. This is really impacting the nation, it’s a line in the sand,” Ravan concluded.

The school posted a letter on their Facebook page explaining the origin of the cross and how it is “false” to associate the cross with the KKK.

As a private Christian college, we stand with our community in condemning racial and judicial discrimination. We value our community deeply, and therefore we want to take this opportunity to share the story of this cross in order to bring clarity and understanding.

1. The history of the cross and how it came to reside on our campus has been well documented over the years, and there is no evidence to suggest our cross has direct roots to racism other than it once resided on Skinner Butte, the same location where racist events were held in the 1920s. People referring to our cross as the “KKK” cross is false.

2. From 1934-1964, wooden crosses were displayed on Skinner Butte; these crosses were not associated with the racist activities of the 1920s but simply powerful symbols of hope set high above the City of Eugene.

3. The cross was designed as a goodwill gesture out of concrete and steel to replace the wooden crosses that would deteriorate with Oregon weather on Skinner Butte. The 51ft cement cross was erected in November 1964, over forty years after the racial demonstrations on Skinner Butte, (See The Register-Guard, November 29, 1964.)

4. Voted on by Eugene residents in 1970 and approved by a wide margin, the cross was dedicated as a memorial to war veterans of the United States. (See The Register-Guard, December 14, 1986.)

5. The cross was relocated to Eugene Bible College (now New Hope Christian College) in 1997 due to a 9th Circuit ruling that stated that the cross is a religious symbol and must be removed from public property; its then location was a violation of the Establishment Clause in the 1st Amendment. (See The Register-Guard, March 13, 1997.) The cross found its home at New Hope Christian College, where it performs true to its originally commissioned purpose to be a symbol of hope for our community.

Here at New Hope Christian College, we view the cross as a powerful symbol of abundant hope and unconditional love. It is our heart that this information, offered in truth and love, would begin to bring clarity to any misinformation surrounding this beautiful cross. It is our hope that what has recently led all of us to look closely at the history of the cross at New Hope, could draw our community together and continue honest conversations that further promote unity within our city.

If you would like more information, please contact us at questions@newhope.edu

New Hope Christian College is a private campus available to staff, students, and on-campus residents only.