As national attention mounts over the Mount Soledad Cross, the City Council narrowly voted to continue the court battle on Tuesday, May 23.
The council voted 5-3 with Mayor Jerry Sanders’ recommendation to appeal the Ninth District Court’s injunction that the city remove the 29-foot emblem by August 1, or face a fine of $5,000 per day.
District 1 Councilman Scott Peters, District 3 Councilwoman Toni Atkins and District 6 Councilwoman Donna Frye voted not to appeal the court’s order.
National Christian organizations have also joined the fight. Christian Defense Coalition and Faith and Action, both based in Washington, D.C., are calling on Christians nationwide to visit San Diego to show their support for the cross. The Christian organizations are also asking for churches, groups and individuals to contribute to a legal defense fund for the city.
“Our belief is that whatever happens here affects similar displays across the country; it affects millions of Americans,” said Reverend Rob Schenck, President of the National Clergy Council. “Those who support the City Council’s efforts should demonstrate that in a tangible way, including though financial contributions.”
The two organizations will contribute $1,000 and are asking for churches, groups and individuals across America to follow suit.
The Christian Defense Coalition and Faith and Action held a press conference yesterday at 2 p.m.
Continuous press conferences, demonstrations and rallies have frustrated the Mount Soledad Memorial Association, which requests that groups contact them before planning an event. The national Christian organizations did not notify the association of their press conference yesterday, saying they held it on city property.
“Such events can be disruptive or interfere with the conduct of previously scheduled events honoring those who are enshrined on the memorial walls,” stated the memorial association’s website.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Sanders has joined Congressman Duncan Hunter in asking the president to seize the property through eminent domain. Washington has made no commitments but officials have agreed to study the limited options available to the city to preserve the cross.