Leaders trying to stop fence at border park

San Diego SOUTH COUNTY: Federal, state and local leaders plan to call today for an immediate halt to construction of a fence around Border Field State Park.

Opponents of the fence say the park has been a gathering spot for families on both sides of the border for decades and symbolizes a place that fosters binational friendship.

The Department of Homeland Security's plan to build a secondary fence around the park to shore up the border has drawn criticism from religious, environmental and community groups for restricting access to the park.

Grading has begun for the permanent fence.

The leaders plan to deliver a letter to President-elect Barack Obama asking him to intervene. It will be signed by Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego; Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego; state Sens. Denise Moreno Ducheny and Christine Kehoe; Assemblywomen Mary Salas and Lori Saldaña; and San Diego Councilman Ben Hueso.

Filner, Ducheny, Salas and Saldaña plan to attend an 11 a.m. gathering at the state park, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The park entrance is at the western end of Monument Road. –J.Z.
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Staff writers Kristina Davis, Michael Stetz, Craig Gustafson and Janine Zúñiga contributed to this report.

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