San Diego cultural center keeps Day of the Dead altar honoring Sinwar, Soleimani despite backlash

A San Diego cultural center kept a Day of the Dead altar honoring Hamas and Hezbollah leaders despite backlash from California lawmakers and Jewish organizations. The center removed Hezbollah and Houthi flags but retained portraits of Sinwar, Abu Obeida, and Soleimani.

The Centro Cultural de la Raza in San Diego's Balboa Park kept a Día de los Muertos altar honoring Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida, and Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, despite condemnation from California lawmakers and local Jewish organizations. The center removed Hezbollah and Houthi flags from the display but left the portraits in place. State Senator Steve Padilla and Assemblymember Chris Ward issued a joint statement calling the altar antisemitic and demanding its removal, noting the venue operates on city-owned land. The Finest Community Coalition, representing 49 Jewish organizations, also called for the altar to be taken down. The center defended the display in an Instagram statement, rejecting the backlash as an attack on free speech and accusing critics of supporting genocide. The dispute escalated when a Jewish-Mexican alumnus said staff ejected him from the center after he objected to the altar.