Klan members removed a cross from a downtown public square Wednesday, hours before a city-issued permit expired.

A federal appeals court Tuesday rejected the city's request to cut short the display.The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to suspend a judge's ruling that allowed a Hanukkah menorah to be put on Fountain Square. The Klan had used that ruling to obtain a 10-day permit to erect a cross.

The U.S. Knights of the Ku Klux Klan first put up a cross Dec. 21, but protesters knocked it down within hours, and a second cross was smashed. The group erected a third cross, which was still standing Tuesday.

Police cited at least 10 people on disorderly conduct charges.

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Meanwhile, Raymond Jones, 40, says he plans to display a cross on Fountain Square for 10 days beginning Thursday because he was disgusted by the Klan cross.

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