EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — The city of Evansville is asking a federal judge to deny an injunction seeking to block the city from allowing the display of for 30 life-sized crosses on public land along the Ohio River.

Attorneys for the city on Friday filed motions seeking to deny the injunction sought by the American Civil Liberties Union and also the lawsuit over the crosses. The city contends it approved the application as it would for any secular or religious organization.

The Evansville Courier and Press reports a motion to add nine other local churches with West Side Christian Church as defendants to the case was also filed.

The city contends the riverfront is a traditional public forum, which is open to all private groups, regardless of religious intent, for free expression.