Group demands removal of 'Hindenburg' welcome sign at La Crescenta park
LA CRESCENTA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Jewish group is asking that a new park sign paying tribute to a former German president who appointed Adolf Hitler as chancellor of Germany be removed.
A sign reads "Welcome to Hindenburg Park" in both German and English, but the sign itself is not getting a warm welcome from some park visitors.
Jason Moss, with the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, demands the new sign in Crescenta Valley Park be taken down, saying the tribute to former president Paul Von Hindenburg brings back painful memories.
The site was used for German gatherings and he said that included some Nazi rallies in the 1930s and 40s.
"I think there's ways that we can do it to honor the German-American culture, but also not forget what took place at that park," Moss said.
The controversy over the sign started after it went up in February. Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce President Kaipo Chock said the sign had the support of the chamber and the county signed off on it.
"At the time, there was no issues, really. No one was offended, we never got any phone calls about it, and then all of a sudden the sign went up and here we are," Chock said.
He said the sign was fully funded by the Tri-Centennial Foundation, a German heritage organization. Eyewitness News reached out to the group for comment, but did not hear back.
As for the public, the sign was getting a mixed reaction in the park.
"I think what those two sides really need to do is get together and communicate with each other and determine what was the truth before, you know, one side wins out over the other," said Robert Zunga of Sunland.
Los Angeles County officials are set to hold a meeting April 7 to discuss whether the sign should be taken down.
Meeting information:
Sparr Heights Community Center - The Verdugo Room
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
1613 Glencoe Way
Glendale, CA 91208
