Election Eve Rally Slated for San Diego's Mt. Soledad Cross
by James L. Lambert
October 28, 2004
(AgapePress) - Christians in the San Diego area have an opportunity on Monday night to show their support for a decades-old monument whose future could be determined by voters the following day.Leo Giovinetti, senior pastor of Mission Valley Christian Fellowship in San Diego, is spearheading an effort to educate area voters of the imminent danger of losing the historic cross located on Mount Soledad overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The location of the 43-foot-tall cross is at the crux of a legal battle between the City of San Diego and Philip Paulson, a local atheist, and his attorney, James McElroy. This litigation has been going on for more than 14 years. McElroy and Paulson are supported by the American Civil Liberties Union in their contention that the cross should be moved or dismantled. The cross has been in its present location since 1952. (See Earlier Article)
Giovinetti's church is sponsoring a rally to be held on election eve (Monday night, November 1, at 6:00 p.m.) at the cross; a large crowd is expected. By a slim 5-4 majority, the San Diego City Council voted in July to allow for the sale of land where the cross is located to "the highest bidder" without requiring that the winning bidder would have to retain the cross. The city charter mandates that all public land sales, when voted on, must pass by a two-thirds majority. Giovinetti hopes this occurs with Proposition K so that Christians can put together funds to purchase the land where the cross is now located.
Although a "Yes" vote on Prop. K does not guarantee that the cross will remain on top of Mount Soledad, its passage would be a first step in accomplishing the goal of retaining the cross at its present site. (This further assumes the winning bidder for the land chooses to keep this highly visible symbol). If Prop. K fails to garner the necessary two-thirds vote, the cross will be taken down.
The Monday night rally is also being supported by San Diego radio talk-show host Roger Hedgecock, a regular substitute for Rush Limbaugh on his nationally syndicated radio talk show. Additional radio support is coming from radio talk-show host Paul McGuire (KBRT radio in Los Angeles). Organizers expect an appearance at the rally by the mayor of San Diego, Dick Murphy, who along with four council members voted to put Prop. K on the city ballot.
Pastor Leo Giovinetti | |
Giovinetti feels it is important to preserve the historical heritage of the cross as a memorial to the millions of American soldiers who have fought for liberty and freedom around the world. "Everywhere you go in the world, in every country, the cross has been ... a worldwide symbol of the greatest act of love known to mankind," says Giovinetti. Pastor Leo believes that "this election seems to be more important than all the others because we are on the threshold of completely turning from God and losing our soul. The soul of America is up for grabs."The pastor is urging Christians across Southern California to join him at the Mount Soledad cross site on election eve in support of Prop. K. Rally information is available by calling (619) 683-7729.
James L. Lambert, a frequent contributor to AgapePress, is the author of Porn in America (Huntington House), which can be purchased through the American Family Association. He is a licensed real-estate mortgage loan sales agent and can be contacted through his website.
