Americans United (for separation of church and state) vs. Mt. Rubidoux; our history and our story. This battle is raging in Riverside and has made its way to the City Council. Jan. 15th a group of people from all faiths and walks of life, including Atheists, came together to support the Serra Cross at Mt. Rubidoux. If you were not at the walk to save the Cross, or have not been following the politics, here is what happened. For over 100 years Mt. Rubidoux has been the home to the Cross being threatened with destruction. Showcasing a rich history of memorials and acting as a life like California history book, Mt. Rubidoux has been home to the Frank A. Miller Testimonial Bridge and Peace Tower, The Huntington Plaque, the Shunzo Kido Plaque, Loring Rock and memorial tablet, and the Serra Cross. However, a lawsuit raised by Americans United could change this and tear down the cross. Americans United bill themselves as a “non-partisan organization dedicated to preserving church-state separation to ensure religious freedom for all Americans”. However, I fail to see how ripping down a piece of history that has stood in Riverside California for over 100 years would better serve the citizens of Riverside. Many others have agreed. On Tuesday January 15, 2013, all walks of life and faith made the hike to the top of the Mt. Rubidoux in support of saving the Serra Cross. I even spotted someone wearing an Atheist tee shirt in support of the cross staying. The day included a hike up the mountain, then the meeting of all those in support hiking back down the mountain and to City Hall for the big council meeting. TV Channels 4, 5 and 7 made it out to catch a moment in history. Upon reaching City Hall people had the option to go inside to hear the meeting or sit outside and see it on the close circuit TV screen. As always, the city allowed 3 minutes for each person to speak on the issues listed on the agenda, including the possible removal of the Serra Cross from Mt. Rubidoux. The options for the cross are as follows: the State of California and City of Riverside can defend the cross and object to American United, or the city can sell the cross to a public entity. If the second option takes place there is a group in Riverside ready to purchase it to preserve the cross and its history. That group is called “Totally Mt. Rubidoux” and you can find them at www.facebook.com/totallymtrubidoux. They are made up of 3 different groups: Friends of Mt. Rubidoux, Mission Inn Foundation and Museum, and the Riverside Land Conservancy. If the city decides to sell and this group buys the land the cross sits upon, they plan to preserve access to Mt. Rubidoux, preserve the open space to Mt. Rubidoux, Preserve our heritage and our history, represent the entire community, and fundraise to purchase and maintain the peak of Mt. Rubidoux. You can help save the cross by supporting this group. A bit of Mt. Rubidoux history, according to Wikipedia, includes the following...“ The first memorial marker on the mountain, the cross and tablet at the summit honoring Father Junipero Serra, was dedicated on April 26, 1907. Mount Rubidoux was designated Riverside City landmark no. 26,[11] and has been a city park since 1955, when the land was donated to the city by Frank Miller's heirs.In 1906 Frank Miller, owner of the Mission Inn, along with Henry E. Huntington and Charles M. Loring, formed the Huntington Park Association and purchased the property with the intent to build a road to the summit and develop the mountain as a park to benefit the city of Riverside In April 1909, Jacob Riis of New York, a friend of President Theodore Roosevelt, was in town to give an address at the Mission Inn. He suggested holding an Easter sunrise service at the top of the mountain, and on the following Sunday the first non-denominational outdoor Easter Sunrise Service in the United States was held at the top of the mount..” The rich history goes on and on and in my opinion, this attempt to tear down the cross is erasing history while saying that it is being done in the name of the Constitution. No matter what side of the argument you are on, you are sure to have strong feelings about this issue. You can keep up to date with this story by checking the websites listed above. By: Melissa Anderson Photos By: Melissa and Wes Anderson (Rockwell Anderson Media)
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