‘Yes’ Vote on Cross Would Sidestep State Constitution

It’s easy to understand the affection that many San Diegans feel for the graceful simplicity of the 43-foot white cross that has topped Mt. Soledad in La Jolla for almost 50 years. For many Christians, it’s the site of inspiring Easter services; for others, just the familiarity is a sort of spiritual comfort; still others revere it as a veterans memorial, which is its stated purpose.

But for many other San Diegans, the cross is an affront because the strong symbol of Jesus Christ is built on land that has been a public park since the 19th Century. Simply selling part of the park to a private organization, a sale that the city of San Diego is asking voters to approve on June 2, won’t remove the religious influence from the park. It will just add salt to the wounds of those of other faiths and those who think religious freedom for everyone is more secure when no one religion gets special government favors.

The sale was designed as a way to save the cross, after a federal district court ruled that it, and one atop Mt. Helix, violate the state Constitution’s ban on mixing church and state.

But the cross is temporarily safe without the sale. While the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals considers the case, it has ruled that the landmark should be left standing.

The San Diego City Council approved the sale of a 15-foot by 15-foot parcel of parkland for $14,500 to the Mt. Soledad Memorial Assn., which already owns the cross itself, in February when the original demolition deadline loomed.

Now, the City Charter requires voter ratification of the sale, Measure F on the June city ballot.

We hope San Diegans will put aside their affection for this decidedly Christian symbol.

The cross’ future should be decided by the courts, not by an end-run around the state Constitution.

We urge a no vote on Measure F.