WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the long-running dispute over a war memorial cross in San Diego before a federal appeals court has its say.

Supporters of the 43-foot monument atop Mount Soledad wanted skip the appeals court and go straight to the Supreme Court because the legal fight has been going on for 25 years.

The Mt. Soledad Memorial Association said the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has been hostile to the cross in earlier rulings.

The Obama administration disagrees with a lower court order for the cross to be removed, but said the case should go to the appeals court first.

The justices did not comment Monday in rejecting the association’s appeal.

The case is Mt. Soledad Memorial Association v. Trunk, 13-1061.

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