May 7, 2006

At a Sunday rally at the Mt Soledad cross, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said he wants to continue the legal battle to preserve the landmark.

Sanders, in reference to a ballot measure approved last July by 76% of the voters, said, "the voters have given me my marching orders and I intend to carry them out.”

Sanders urged the City Council to approve his request to send lawyers to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to obtain a “stay” that would suspend Thompson's order while the city pursues appeals in state and federal court.

Charles LiMandri, an attorney who has represented cross supporters, said the city still has viable legal options. The city's best chance is to move the fight to federal courts, which recently have allowed religious symbols to be displayed in conjunction with war memorials, LiMandri said.