In San Diego, city officials responded to public outcry over a perceived threat to Chicano Park with a clear and coordinated communication strategy that acknowledged community concerns and affirmed the city’s commitment to preserving the space. This response played a key role in preventing escalation by demonstrating that community voices were being heard and that there were safe, respectful avenues for continued public engagement.

Logan Heights and Barrio Logan are adjacent communities in San Diego with their southern border abutting the San Diego Bay. Chicano Park is nestled in the northwest corner of Barrio Logan and epitomizes a vibrant public space rooted in Chicano heritage. Barrio Logan has a distinctive Latino identity as a major center for Chicano cultural and social activities, as well as convenient beach access.

Post-World War II changes to San Diego’s zoning laws encouraged the construction of industrial facilities, largely owned by white non-residents. Barrio Logan transformed from a strictly residential neighborhood to a mixed-use area filled with auto junk yards, wrecking operations, and other light industry. Concerns were expressed that the zoning changes shredded the social fabric of the community by dislocating families and closing small businesses. In the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 5 and San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge (SR-75) severed Barrio Logan from the larger community of Logan Heights.

The Barrio residents protested when plans were announced to construct a California Highway Patrol substation under the SR-75 eastern ramps. Community members formed human chains around heavy equipment ready to grade the land for the substation. After 12 days of persistent and growing standoffs with police, city officials decided to negotiate, and Chicano Park was born in the site planned for the police substation. The community planted trees, grass, flowers, and created a sacred garden and ceremonial kiva  (a traditional structure used for cultural events in the North American southwest).^[8] Since 1970, Barrio residents have made extensive use of Chicano Park for social and political events, and annually celebrate the park’s founding on the Saturday nearest to April 22nd with a daylong festival featuring ethnic food, dancing, and music.

In the 1970s, a public art project filled the park with murals, for which it is now renowned. One such mural was painted in 1977 to remember the park’s history with rezoning. The mural reads, “Varrio, Si. Yonkes, No.” which translates to “Neighborhoods, Yes. Junk, No.” The mural commemorates the community’s struggle to remove toxic polluters and dumpsites from their waterfront and limited green spaces.

In 2017 the mural became the target of white supremacist groups who misinterpreted it as an anti-white message – “yankees, no.” The misinterpretation has been circulating for decades and gets recycled every few years.  Based on this misinterpretation, two groups organized a Patriot Picnic to “help topple the monument to communism in California.”^[9] The protest-picnic was attended by about twelve people but drew a counter-protest of nearly 700 community members. The protestors insisted that the murals should be removed, and the park renamed to be more inclusive of people outside the Chicano community.

The city’s strategy drew on relationships established well before this conflict emerged. San Diego officials had developed ties with the Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS) in anticipation of future challenges, not in response to them. This preparation helped create space for community members to voice concerns, for tensions to ease, and for misinformation to be corrected. As Professor Richard Griswold del Castillo of San Diego State University explained, the controversy was based on “a misunderstanding, possibly an intentional misunderstanding,”^[10] of Chicano cultural expression.

The following year, a second demonstration—“Patriot Picnic 2.0”—was announced, this time with the stated goal of removing the Chicano Park heritage flag and raising a U.S. flag in its place. Again, community and city leaders acted early. The Chicano Park Steering Committee urged residents not to provoke conflict.^[11] San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott issued a public statement affirming the park’s value: “Chicano Park is a peaceful, family-oriented community park that is beloved by all San Diegans. It reflects our city’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion. As such, it has become a target for various hate groups.”^[12] This strategy was effective largely because San Diego leaders had invested in relationships with CRS long before they knew they would need them, allowing the city to respond with calm, coordination, and credibility.

This case illustrates how understanding the context and symbolism of a space can guide communication strategies that keep the public safe. Where public symbols represent marginalized histories or ongoing struggles, city officials may benefit from advance coordination with conflict resolution resources and a deliberate approach to communication. In San Diego, early planning, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to preserving space for safe expression helped prevent escalation and reaffirmed the city’s support for those who felt targeted by the controversy.