All it took was one man’s complaint, and a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union and a town was forced to remove a lit-up cross from the top of its Christmas tree.

Instead of fighting a costly lawsuit, the town council decided on Monday to go ahead and remove the symbol that offended lone Knightstown, Indiana resident Joseph Tompkins who alleged the cross violated the First Amendment and caused him “irreparable harm," Fox News Insider reports, 

The rest of the town, on the other hand, were outraged by the council’s decision and have since plastered the town with wooden crosses.

“It’s just ridiculous,” said Aaron Magee. “I’m very offended that the cross was taken down, and I want it put back up. We all want it put back up.”

“Keep Christ in Christmas no matter where you’re at,” another resident, Lora Lewman, said.

Knightstown United Methodist Pastor Curt Hunt said, “This is demonstrative of the erosion of free expression of religion. It is unfortunate that town council was forced to take the action. It's my hope in the future, someone would be able to put forward the case under the First Amendment, that such displays do not violate the establishment of the First Amendment."

After the cross was removed, dozens gathered around the tree on Sunday in protest.

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