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   OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Someone drove up a ramp near the Oklahoma   
   Capitol steps overnight and into a disputed granite monument of   
   the Ten Commandments, smashing it to pieces in an apparent act   
   of vandalism, authorities said.   
      
   Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. George Brown said the person   
   abandoned the car and fled the scene after destroying the   
   monument Thursday night, and that investigators are searching   
   the sedan for clues. He said he didn't know if there were any   
   witnesses, but that investigators are reviewing security video.   
      
   The 6-foot-tall monument was erected in 2012 with the blessing   
   of Oklahoma's conservative Legislature. The American Civil   
   Liberties Union of Oklahoma has been suing to have it removed,   
   arguing that it violates the state constitution and could be   
   seen as a state endorsement of a religion.   
      
   "We consider this an act of violence against the state of   
   Oklahoma," said Republican state Rep. Mike Ritze, of Broken   
   Arrow, whose family spent nearly $10,000 having the monument   
   erected. "We are obviously shocked and dismayed, but we're not   
   discouraged," he said, vowing to have it rebuilt.   
      
   Gov. Mary Fallin called it an "appalling" act of vandalism and   
   volunteered to help raise private funds to restore it.   
      
   The ACLU sued on behalf of a Norman minister and others who   
   allege the monument's location violates the state constitution's   
   ban on using public property to support "any sect, church,   
   denomination or system of religion."   
      
   A judge ruled last month that the monument does not violate the   
   state constitution, and ACLU attorneys filed an appeal with the   
   Oklahoma Supreme Court.   
      
   Ryan Kiesel, the ACLU of Oklahoma's executive director, said he   
   and his clients are "outraged" that the monument was vandalized.   
      
   "To see the Ten Commandments desecrated by vandals is highly   
   offensive to them as people of faith," Kiesel said.   
      
   The monument's placement has led others to seek their own on the   
   Capitol grounds, including a satanic group that earlier this   
   year unveiled designs for a 7-foot-tall statue of Satan. Other   
   requests have been made from a Hindu leader in Nevada and the   
   satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.   
      
   http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Disputed-Oklahoma-Ten-   
   Commandments-statue-smashed-5845127.php   
      
       
      
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