Heated debate over land in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Originally zoned for office and retail use and later given to a Roman Catholic school by the city, land in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is the subject of a heated debate. The school plans to build athletic fields on a site containing ancient Indian graves. The San Juan Capistrano City Council heard testimony from longtime San Juan residents, tribal members, anthropologists and environmentalists who argued that building athletic fields on the property would threaten a sacred site. Other community members and school officials said that the fields would serve not only the school, but also the entire area. Some factions of the fight against the construction say the site could be used for a cultural center to honor their ancestors. The opposing side says the children’s education is as sacred as the Indians say the land is. http://www.latimes.com/news/yahoo/la-me-serra1sep01,1,2108636.story?coll=la-newsaol-headlines