SF Voters Nix Plan to Tear Down Alcatraz

Motion to transform island prison site into peace center fails

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Feb 7, 2008 5:16 PM CST

(Newser) – Alcatraz Island shouldn't be transformed into a global peace center, San Franciscan voters decided in rejecting a measure on Tuesday's ballot. Only 28% backed the non-binding proposal to convert the one-time penitentiary and tourist hotspot into a peace dome, the New York Times reports. But DaVid, the measure's main sponsor, says he's about to throw in the towel.

The island across from the Golden Gate Bridge may have housed A-list criminals like Al Capone, yet DaVid calls it "a sacred spot." The city's Republican Party calls his measure ludicrous and a needless expense for taxpayers. Alcatraz was a federal prison in 1936-63, and became a national park in 1972 following an 18-month takeover by Native American activists.

Da Vid, director of the Global Peace Foundation, walks through a sallyport toward the ruins of an officer's club on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. Also known as The Rock, the... (Associated Press)

Da Vid, director of the Global Peace Foundation, gestures while visualizing a new peace center on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. Also known as The Rock, the rough-edged hunk... (Associated Press)

Da Vid, director of the Global Peace Foundation stands near a guard tower on Alcatraz Island and looks out at the bay in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. Also known as The Rock, the rough-edged... (Associated Press)

Seagulls fly over San Francisco Bay with Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 24, 2007. The former Federal penitentiary and visitor destination on San Francisco Bay, has just benefited from... (Associated Press)

In this drawing, provided by the Global Peace Foundation, is what a proposed new peace center would look like on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Also known as The Rock, the rough-edged hunk of land... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Alcatraz Garden Blooms Despite Years of Neglect

Once cared for by prisoners, plants still thrive on 'The Rock'

(NEWSER) - The hardened inmates on San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island had tough neighbors who endure to this day: sun-kissed geraniums, snapdragons, gazanias, and roses. Thanks to an ambitious restoration project, “The Rock” is blooming, the Sacramento Bee reports. After work began 5 years ago, gardeners discovered 145 plant varieties that survived 40 years of neglect amidst the island’s harsh conditions. More»

Golden Gate Considers a Fence

As suicides mount, San Francisco considers changes to beloved landmark

(NEWSER) - San Francisco may finally be coming to grips with its Golden Gate suicide instrument, from which more than 1,300 people have thrown themselves, reports the Washington Post, making it America’s No. 1 self-annihilation destination. But for years the bridge’s guardians have resisted calls to erect a barrier, believing that thwarted suicides will just kill themselves elsewhere—despite a mountain of scientific evidence to the contrary. More»

Fighters Intercept Pot Plane in Obama Airspace

Cessna strays too close as Obama heads to LAX

(NEWSER) - What were they smoking? A four-seater Cessna plane hauling marijuana yesterday strayed into restricted airspace designed to protect President Obama, who was flying on Marine One; the small plane was intercepted by fighter jets. The incident occurred as the president was traveling in the helicopter from Orange County to Los Angeles International Airport, reports the Los Angeles Times . Authorities attempted repeatedly to contact the Cessna 182. When the pilot failed to respond, two F-16s forced the aircraft to land nearby at Long Beach Airport, where it was met by law enforcement. More»

UC Students Storm BofA, 100 Busted

Protesters hit the street to rip rich regents

(NEWSER) - University of California students stormed a Bank of America branch in downtown San Francisco yesterday, pitched a tent and chanted, "Shame, shame, shame" before 100 of them were arrested and hauled out by city cops. The bank invasion was part of an afternoon of protest by students demonstrating against the UC regents, calling them rich tuition boosters who don't care about education. One of the regents is on the board of the Bank of America. Demonstrators had planned to target a meeting of the regents in the city, but officials canceled it, fearing violence. Those arrested will be charged with trespassing, notes the San Francisco Chronicle . More»

California Flier Stranded in Airport 8 Days

Cash-strapped woman marooned by baggage fees

(NEWSER) - All she wanted was to get out of town to start fresh. But California would-be flier Terri Weissinger ended up stuck in San Francisco International Airport for eight days, marooned by unexpected baggage fees. Cash-strapped Weissinger was down to three bags, a ticket and $30 when she arrived at the airport, on her way to Idaho and a new life. Because it's been years since she last flew, Weissinger had no idea she would have to pay $60 in baggage fees. She couldn't ditch one of the bags because that's against security rules. Then she missed her plane, and faced a change fee of $150 and new ticket prices as high as $1,000. Because she had no home to return to, she spent days wandering the airport. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

SF Voters Nix Plan to Tear Down Alcatraz

Motion to transform island prison site into peace center fails

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

California • San Francisco • prison • Golden Gate Bridge • peace • Alcatraz • penitentiary

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Alcatraz Garden Blooms Despite Years of Neglect

Once cared for by prisoners, plants still thrive on 'The Rock'

Golden Gate Considers a Fence

As suicides mount, San Francisco considers changes to beloved landmark

Fighters Intercept Pot Plane in Obama Airspace

Cessna strays too close as Obama heads to LAX

UC Students Storm BofA, 100 Busted

Protesters hit the street to rip rich regents

California Flier Stranded in Airport 8 Days

Cash-strapped woman marooned by baggage fees

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

SF Voters Nix Plan to Tear Down Alcatraz

Motion to transform island prison site into peace center fails

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

California • San Francisco • prison • Golden Gate Bridge • peace • Alcatraz • penitentiary

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Alcatraz Garden Blooms Despite Years of Neglect

Once cared for by prisoners, plants still thrive on 'The Rock'

Golden Gate Considers a Fence

As suicides mount, San Francisco considers changes to beloved landmark

Fighters Intercept Pot Plane in Obama Airspace

Cessna strays too close as Obama heads to LAX

UC Students Storm BofA, 100 Busted

Protesters hit the street to rip rich regents

California Flier Stranded in Airport 8 Days

Cash-strapped woman marooned by baggage fees

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?