Cross Dispute Settled By Auction of Public Land To Non-Profit Group

Yesterday's Riverside, California Press-Enterprise reports on last week's unusually amicable resolution of a dispute over the cross atop Riverside’s Mount Rubidoux.  The mountain has been a public park since 1955. Last summer, Americans United for Separation of Church and State complained about the cross, and the city in response decided to sell off by auction the .43 acre plot of land on which the cross stands. At the April 11 auction, Totally Mt. Rubidoux, a coalition of three local nonprofits formed to preserve the cross, cast the winning bid of $10,500. (Press-Enterprise 4/11) Americans United says it is satisfied because "this cross will no longer be on public property, so it will no longer send a message that the city favors the Christian religion."