Where's Cranston's Prayer Banner? - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Where is Cranston's Prayer Banner?

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The battle over Cranston's controversial prayer banner may be over, but months after it was removed from Cranston West High School, its future is still unclear. Even its current location is a mystery.

The controversy over the banner is not easily forgotten, especially for Cranston West alum Bobby Bach. He and other alumni started a face book page during the court battle over the banner, so that if it had to come down, it would be preserved.

The City of Cranston did end up removing it, but so far there's no plan to put the banner somewhere else. All the money raised for its preservation, is sitting in a bank account.

 Bach says, "It is upsetting, the fact that it's not been decided upon, there's no reason why it shouldn't be decided upon."
 
It's not just the banner's future that's unknown, it's current location is also a mystery. School committee member Frank Lombard couldn't tell us where it's being stored and says its location is being kept secret for a reason.
 
"To not to create any audiences to look at a banner that's basically encapsulated in concrete and wood," said Lombardi.
 
Lombardi says only a few people know where the banner ended up, himself not included. Bach says he's heard that it's being stored in the basement of Park view Middle School.
 
"It's upsetting the fact that it's just sitting in the basement of a school doing nothing waiting for a decision," said Bach.
 
Lombardi says a decision on the prayer banner's new location was put on hold to deal with budgets and union contracts. When the committee does take up the topic, putting it up for sale will be an option.
 
"I think it should be sold, I think it should be sold to the highest bidder, provided the dignity that it is afforded," said Lombardi.
 
Money from the sale would help Cranston cover the legal fees it owes to the ACLU.
 
Bach is against the idea of selling it, saying the banner should stay in Cranston.
 
"Every effort should be made to retain it and keep it here on this side of the city," said Bach.
 
Speculation on the banner's future will be put to rest when the committee makes a final decision in August.
 
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