Restoring Historical Cross Explored By California City

In 1969, a wooden cross was put up on Monterey, California's Del Monte Beach to mark 200th anniversary of the raising of a wooden cross at the site by explorer Don Gaspar de Portol and Father Juan Crespi as a signal to the supply ship San Jose, expected to arrive from Mexico. Last month vandals cut down that cross. The Monterey County Herald last week reported that City Council wants to restore the cross because of its historical significance, but is concerned about possible litigation from the ACLU. Even before the vandalism, the ACLU and the city were engaged in discussions about the cross and compromise ways to keep it as a historical marker without its being an endorsement of religion. In a closed session last Tuesday, following a public hearing on the matter, City Council voted to proceed with the new cross only after raising $50,000 in contributions as a legal defense fund.