Proposal for Peace Park Provokes Controversy
The City Council calls it a peace park, but the planned tribute to an antiwar activist is creating conflict.
The council approved funding for the $93,000 downtown park. The city plans to build a Wall of Consequence there that will include debris from attacks on civilians around the world, including the World Trade Center; Hiroshima, Japan; and the Alfred B. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Park opponent Karen Christopherson said using the debris would exploit the dead to further a political agenda that the victims may not have shared.
The park would be named for activist Doug Rand, who died two years ago of a brain tumor.
He fought to stop a Navy ship from coming to Santa Cruz, campaigned against violence-themed toys and tried to dissuade people from registering for the draft.
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