1998-06-26 - Symbol Trouble, Swastika and Cross |
|||||
|
|
||||
|
|
By Donald H. Harrison San Diego (special) -- Two landmarks owned by the City of San Diego have been the focus of symbolic controversies in recent weeks--Mount Soledad, home to a controversial Christian cross, and Balboa Park's House of Hospitality, where, in the name of historical accuracy, light fixtures have been refurbished with nazi swastikas.
Instead, the courts held that transferring the land to a private organization which would maintain the cross was simply a circumvention of its previous ruling. The court ordered the city to either take down the cross or to sell the land at auction. The city chose to sell, announcing last week that there will be public bidding on 1/2-acre of land surrounding the cross. Successful bidders must use the land for a war memorial, but the war memorial does not have to be in the form of the present cross, according to city's announcement. Deputy City Attorney Anthony Shanley said that while keeping up the cross is not a criterion for a successful bid,the city reserves the right to reject bids if the bidder fails to show financial capability or if the proposed war memorial is deemed unacceptable. While the current cross and other kinds of statuary might be acceptable, Shanley said it is possible an unacceptable design could be submitted. He said the city therefore reserves the right to reject all designs. Both the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League are closely monitoring the case, having filed friend of the court briefs as the matter wended its way through the courts. The AJC reacted warily to the city's latest proposal, issuing this statement: "While the most recent proposal forwareded by the city has the facial appeal of neutrality, one must look deeper into the provision. The newest plan calls for maintaining the site as a war memorial, which are the code words used by the city regarding the symbolism of the cross throughout the legal proceedings," the statement said. "Additionally, the city maintains a condition that the City Council alone can approve or disapprove of the plans for the 'war memorial.' This is the same body that has been the most recalcitrant group in seeking a solution to this issue that would maintain the separation between religion and state. We support fuller judicial scrutiny to determine whether the current proposal meets the standards put forward by the courts." A spokesman for the Anti-Defamation League said the organization will have a reaction to the city's latest plan, perhaps by this week. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs in the suit have retained attorney Jim McElroy to represent them in the next round of the case. McElroy was one of the attorneys who represented the family of a slain Ethiopian immigrant who was beaten to death by white separatists in Oregon. A multi-million dollar judgment was won in that case against neo-nazi Tom Metzger of Fallbrook, CA., who founded a group known as the White Aryan Resistance. In the civil suit against Metzger, it was argued that Metzger was responsible for inciting the beating. * * * For many thousands of San Diegans, Balboa Park's House of Hospitality is known as the building with the wedding patio and the restaurant. Before it was closed for renovation, the Moorish style House of Hospitality-which once included the Cafe del Rey Moro--was the site of innumerable weddings for all denominations.
|