I struggled as I decided to write this particular “Message from our Publisher.” Many will accuse me of playing the race card, stirring the pot or not letting sleeping dogs lie. I cannot help but see the double standard in the San Diego community. What is causing my rancor? Lilygate.
It has been more than seven months since 1,000 people trashed the lily pond in Balboa Park. The unpermitted “water fight” caused more than $19,000 in damages to the 97-year-old lily pond, one of the gems of Balboa Park. The initial reports of $10,000 in damages were grossly underestimated.
Seven months and not one arrest by the San Diego Police Department? Not one? There are pictures of people in the pond with lilies on their heads. Pictures of people with water coolers collecting water from the pond and throwing it at other participants.
Yet, not one arrest when these people’s faces are clearly visible. Even the fall guy, Matthew Hardick, has not been required to make restitution to the City and he said he was one of the organizers.
Some of the organizers of the event have very close friendships with those in power at City Hall. Is that why there have been no arrests or charges filed? Or is it because the police department actions on the morning of Aug. 12, 2012 left a lot to be desired?
What has really upset me is the knowledge that if the faces in the photos had been a different color, things would be substantially different. Had there been 1,000 Latino or African American “revelers” who had destroyed the lily pond, do you really think seven months later there would be no arrests?
In fact, had the police and City Councilmembers been alerted to the “water fight” event, as they reputedly were, but the 1,000 participants were primarily Latino or African American would they have turned a blind eye?
Unfortunately, we all know the answer to that question. No. If the event had not been prevented altogether, there would have been police patrols in the park and arrests made the night of the event. For sure.
Can you imagine the San Diego community’s outrage that would have been unleashed had the perpetrators been black or brown skinned?
The people involved with Lilygate were largely young, white people just out having some good clean fun. How could any of these young upstanding people, many who were members of the LGBT community, possibly be criminals?
I am expressing how many in the African American and Latino community feel when they see that no one has been charged, despite the photographic evidence. The organizers and promoters of the event have not been charged, or made to perform community service. I guess it is nice to have friends in City Hall.
Sure, many of the dollars required to restore the pond have been donated by the good people of San Diego. Some were anonymous donors who are likely those racked with guilt due to their participation in the “water fight.”
The lily pond was just reopened to great fanfare, but no mention of why or who had caused the need for the restoration of this San Diego treasure.
Political corruption? Police cover-up? Or simply a desire not to arrest or charge good, fun-loving, clean-cut white kids? Whatever the reason, the San Diego community deserves answers and much better from its leaders.
In the post-racial world of 2013, should we expect anything less? Tongue firmly planted in cheek.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
I am curious; what was the SDPD and/or the DA’s office official comment when you asked them why no arrests have been made?