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Alcatraz torn down to make way for peace center?
If you still haven't made it to San Francisco's second-most-popular attraction (the first is cable cars), you might want to start planning that vacation before long. It's possible that Alcatraz, that formidable white structure hunkered out in San Francisco Bay, might be converted into an international peace center, if voters so choose.Reuters reports that a proposition (on ballots Tuesday) comes from the director of the California-based Global Peace Foundation, who gives his name as "Da Vid." Da Vid and his supporters would like to tear the prison down and in its place erect "a medicine wheel, a labyrinth and a conference center for non-violent conflict resolution."
Although the idea sounds pretty far-fetched, Da Vid and volunteers were able to collect the 10,350 signatures needed to put the proposition on the ballot.
Gallery: San Francisco
| Get rid of it | |
|---|---|
| No way | |
| Who cares? | |
| I'm hungry |
Filed under: North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)
Vance Feb 6th 2008 11:36PM
MUST BE ALL THE POT THEY SMOKE OUT THERE. ALCATRAZ IS (OR SHOULD BE) A NATIONAL LANDMARK AND THE THOUGHT OF TEARING IT DOWN IS HARD TO FATHOM. "DA VID" NEEDS TO GET A LIFE.
Marilyn Feb 6th 2008 11:38PM
how about wal-mart?
bsteelfences Feb 6th 2008 11:47PM
It would be a shame to lose some more history
Ken Feb 6th 2008 11:49PM
Sounds to me like Da Vid needs to change his name to Duh Mass.
You know, it really doesn't speak well for our society that we let these people run around loose and unsupervised. He could hurt himself.
Jeri Feb 6th 2008 11:58PM
Remember this place is a Federal State Park. It belongs to the US Government. I wouldn't think this would be an issue to vote on.
Deanna Feb 6th 2008 11:54PM
Not only was it shut down due to the cost of maintenance it was also shut down due to the treatment of the prisoners. A prisoner took the place to court and let everything out. Watch "Murder in the First Degree" starring Kevin Bacon. At the end of this movie which is based on the true story of Alcatrz, it gives you information on what happened.
Rita Suter Feb 7th 2008 12:12AM
I don't thing the ghost wound want to relocate.LOL
Norma Feb 7th 2008 12:30AM
I can't believe they would even THINK about tearing down Alcatraz! It's an amazing piece of history and, even though it's not as well kept up as it should be, it still gives you a feeling of eerieness and of things that have happened there. How shallow can you get? Don't we have enough... what in the world is a "labyrinth wheel"? Should we tear down the Statue of Liberty and build a mall? Yeah, sure... why not?
joe from SF Feb 7th 2008 12:40AM
All the idiot liberals in SF would be glad to tear down history, and put a peace center on alcatraz. Anyone who has really been there for a while will realize the place is haunted, not the best place for a peace center
JOE Feb 7th 2008 12:44AM
These fu**ing wing nut in CA have nothing better to do.
Beth Feb 7th 2008 12:53AM
Da Vid I think you smoked an extra bong hit and it's obviously done something to your common sense. Are the people of San Fran as skrewy as the Berkeley crowd ? Peace, Love, Free Love, groovy baby...I wonder if he still has black light posters ? I say use it to house illegals.
Angel Feb 7th 2008 1:18AM
personally I am surprised that I am hungry did not rank above who cares. Alcatraz has got to be on some historic registry somewhere and therefore can't be torn down.
Debbie Feb 7th 2008 1:28AM
It is part of the us national park service - I don't think even if it got voted in that they could do that. It just doesn't make sense. Can you put any dumb thing you make up on the ballot if you get enough signitures? So if I can think of different uses for various park service land - I can just get signitures and make them build my "center of whatever"? Hey - why not Yosemite - you can build it atop half dome. I'll start working on the signitures...
FlyingPuck Feb 7th 2008 1:33AM
I think it should remain in its current state, and can later be used to house Barry Bonds head. It should still fit in Alcatraz for at least a couple more years!
Fra15 Feb 7th 2008 1:41AM
I am sorry but being from out of town we like to go see the old prison. I used to work at one but nothing like this. And I think that the citzens should be able to see what this is like. Please do not take it down
Chris Feb 7th 2008 1:44AM
tHEY SHOULD TURN IT INTO A PLACE TO HOLD PARTIES OR PRIVATE EVENTS. iT IS A PART OF HISTORY AND THEY SHOULD LEAVE IT ALONE!!!
Fra15 Feb 7th 2008 1:50AM
my wife and I have been there a few times and have enjoyed it I have worked in prisons before but I have not seen anything like this. Please keep it open thier ie alot to learn
TRACEY Feb 7th 2008 1:54AM
THE PEACE CENTER DID NOT PASS. THANK GOD.
Adam Feb 7th 2008 2:10AM
Why is a failed prison, most famous for a handfull or two of people who SHOULD NOT be famous & deserved to spend time there, considered a Historic Landmark?
Tear it down, & use the land for something good. I've not seen or heard of this plan before, & it sounds a bit far fetched, but a peace center sounds like a good use for the island.
chris Feb 7th 2008 2:18AM
Like it or not, this prison is part of American history. Who hasn't heard of Alcatraz? It should be preserved. This peace center, or whatever it is, can be established somewhere else.