Los Angeles Times Examines Controversy Over Proposed AIDS Memorial in Largely Latino Community

The Los Angeles Times yesterday examined the controversy over a proposed AIDS memorial in Lincoln Park in the "largely" Latino community of Lincoln Heights. The park, which would commemorate Latinos and non-Latinos who have died of AIDS-related illnesses, would include a rose garden, modern benches, a walking path, a sculpture and eight wall panels where the names of those who have died would be listed. However, the nine-year effort, which would be financed mostly by the state and the City of Los Angeles, has "hit a snag," as opponents of the memorial say that the public park is an inappropriate place for such a "somber" monument. Opponents also said that the memorial would "destroy green space" in an area of the city that has little to spare. Proponents of the effort said that such concerns hide the real concern that opponents of the memorial "just don't want to talk about the deadly disease in their community," according to the Times (Ramos, Los Angeles Times, 2/17). The complete article is available online.