Mission threatens burial ground

Heated debate over mission garden at meeting

American Indian representatives angered by possible disturbance of sacred burial grounds at San Juan Capistrano site.A controversial Mission San Juan Capistrano rectory garden was the focus of heated debate Tuesday night, as American Indian representatives accused mission leaders of disturbing sacred burial grounds.

More than 100 people filled the Council Chambers at City Hall for Tuesday's Cultural Heritage Commission meeting, the majority of whom were members of the Juaneno Tribe of Mission Indians, Acjachema Nation, and mission parishioners.