Here is the story: the City of Albany, California, hosts a giant illuminated cross in its Albany Hill park. The cross is maintained by the El Cerrito-based 'Albany Lions Club' pursuant to an easement it was apparently granted for free years ago, in a complicated transaction engineered by a dishonest Albany mayor.
There is nothing historic about this cross, which was constructed in the 1970s, and it is not dedicated to the memory of military veterans or to any other public purpose. The Albany City Council and many residents would like to see it replaced with something nonsectarian. We envision a site that could still be used for Easter services and other Christian religious ceremonies, but that could also be used for non-Christian and non-religious purposes.
We want this city park to serve everyone equally. In this day and age, we should not be using public property to promote one faith as if it were the official religion of our city and region. The recent presidential election, with its disturbing talk of registering Muslims and internment-camp precedents, makes this situation all the more troubling.
The East Bay Atheists organization, which includes some neighbors of the cross, recently discovered and pointed out to the Albany Fire Department that, whatever might happen with the cross in the future, right now it relies on a eucalyptus tree to serve as an electrical pole - posing a fire danger to the park and the neighborhood. So the electricity has been turned off - and now the Lions Club is gearing up to sue the city, the fire chief, me, the mayor, the city manager and the community development director (see the documents attached for more details).
I am hoping there might be Lions Club members on Nextdoor who would be willing and able to help persuade the 'Albany' Lions Club group to work with the city rather than suing us. The Lions Club International website says one of its purposes is to "Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world." Shouldn't the LIons be supporting the City of Albany's efforts to make its public park a welcoming place for everyone?
If you are a Lion or know Lions Club members, especially in the East Bay, please be sure that Lions are informed and encouraged to make their voices heard about this behavior. My hope is to hear some roars of disapproval from local Lions who work to foster that 'spirit of understanding' we all should share.