Construction of AIDS Monument to Begin Soon; City Attorney Opinion on Mural Panel Delays Original Construction Timeline

An opinion by the Los Angeles city attorney that one of the mural panels for a soon-be-constructed AIDS monument in the city's Eastside community of Lincoln Heights must be removed will delayed construction of the monument. The panel in question had a religious nature, according to the city attorney's opinion, and therefore should not be part of the monument. The panel will, instead, be purchased with private funds and used for outreach to communities of faith.

(PRWEB) January 20, 2004 --Construction is set to begin soon for an AIDS monument in Lincoln Park in the historic eastside Los Angeles community of Lincoln Heights. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2003, the construction timeline was lengthened and an extension to the original deadline was granted due to an opinion by the Los Angeles City Attorneys office that one of the monuments mural panels should be replaced.

The particular panel cited by the city attorneys office features a woman that some have contended is a portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe. At issue was the belief that the panel is religious in nature, and is not appropriate for a publicly funded and publicly sited project.

The city attorneys opinion was prompted by complaint from the Sacramento legal firm of Lively, Ackerman and Cody, which supports conservative causes. The law firm is one of several conservative groups that have opposed construction of the monument.

Opposition to the monument has also come in other forms, including a website, www.pinkpork.com. Opponents have argued that the monument belongs in West Hollywood, that it will only attract gay men who will hold hands in public" and that the monument is pagan because it is in the shape of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl.

As a result of the city attorneys opinion, a new mural panel will be selected.

Richard Zaldivar, executive director and founder of The Wall-Las Memorias Project, which is leading the effort for the AIDS monument, said that the removed panel will be purchased with private funds the organization has raised, and will be used as part of a touring AIDS awareness and education project for communities of faith.

While we are disappointed that this one panel will be removed, we will respect the opinion of the city attorney," said Mr. Zaldivar. We know that our message of compassion, hope, and understanding for our community continues with the construction of the AIDS monument."

The monuments purpose is to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and promote healing and understanding for their loved ones and the community.

Not only is this a monument dedicated to education, healing and hope, it is truly a piece of public art," said Mr. Zaldivar.

The monument, The Wall-Las Memorias, designed by architect David Angelo and public artist Robin Brailsford, will be located at Lincoln Park northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. A community advisory board selected the site in 1993, based upon its rich history with the Latino community and its proximity to the local AIDS treatment center at County USC Hospital.

The Wall-Las Memorias, designed in the shape of Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec serpent and symbol for rebirth, will consist of eight panels, six with murals. The other two granite panels will display the names of people who have died of AIDS. The monument will also include a park setting with benches and an archway set in garden areas. The total size of the monument is about 9,000 square feet, with half of this area devoted to landscaping, including a medicinal garden.

The mural panels were created by artists Alex Alferov, Paul Botello, Hugo Crosthwaite, Kathy Gallegos,Yolanda Gonzalez and Miguel Angel Reyes. The six murals draw upon a diverse set of images, colors, design, figures and cultural symbols to express hope and inspiration in the fight against the AIDS.

Submission forms for adding names to the monument can obtained at www.thewalllasmemorias.org. Photos of the mural panels and renderings of the monument can be viewed at the website, too.

The Wall-Las Memorias Project (www.thewalllasmemorias.org) was founded in 1993 to educate the Latino community about HIV/AIDS, and to show how denial hurts families, communities, and people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Wall-Las Memorias Project has grown to include other programs which promote self-esteem, understanding and community, including discussion and support groups for men, young adults and mothers, an HIV/AIDS prevention program that reaches out to communities of faith, and a mens softball team. It also has a history of engaging in community activism and promoting community involvement. The organiztaions efforts here and in Baja California have resulted in the naming of an AIDS hospice in Tijuana in honor of the organization: Casa Hogar Las Memorias.

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