{
  "id": 19691405,
  "title": "San Diego cultural center keeps Day of the Dead altar honoring Sinwar, Soleimani despite backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/san-diego-cultural-center-keeps-day-of-the-dead-altar-honoring-sinwar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T19:16:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-914759"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A San Diego cultural center has maintained a Day of the Dead altar displaying leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, despite backlash from California lawmakers and Jewish organizations. The display, erected last week in Balboa Park, featured portraits of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida, and Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani alongside photos of Palestinian children and journalists. Flags associated with Hezbollah and the Houthis were also present, bearing antisemitic slogans. California State Senator Steve Padilla and Assemblymember Chris Ward denounced the exhibit, urging its immediate removal and city intervention as the venue operates on public property. The Finest Community Coalition, representing 49 local Jewish organizations, also called for the altar's removal, stating it is a shrine to terrorism. Despite the flags' removal, the portraits and flags remain. Centro Cultural de la Raza rejected the demands, defending the display as a remembrance of those affected by Israeli aggression, citing US complicity. Jewish alumnus Daniel La Salle claimed he was ejected from the center for objecting to the display.",
  "summary": "Centro Cultural de la Raza removed Hezbollah and Houthi flags but kept portraits of Sinwar, Abu Obeida and Soleimani, calling the backlash an attack on its free speech.",
  "key_points": [
    "San Diego cultural center maintains Day of the Dead altar honoring Sinwar and Soleimani.",
    "Backlash from California lawmakers and Jewish organizations.",
    "Display defended as remembrance of victims of Israeli aggression."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}