The third and final Mission Bell was set to be removed in Santa Cruz County this weekend, but vandals stole the bell before the ceremony could occur.
The Mission Bells have sparked controversy for years as many feel they are reminders of the brutal conditions indigenous people suffered at the hands of missionaries.
The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.Jennifer Hodges/KCBS Radio
The final Mission Bell sat at the corner of Soquel and Dakota avenues in Santa Cruz.
It was meant to be removed on Saturday in a ceremony hosted by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, direct descendants of the aboriginal Tribal groups whose villages and territories fell under the sphere of influence of Missions.
"Anything we can do to reckon with the true past of the Mission system and give more information about the reality is a step in the right direction," said a Santa Cruz resident.
A sign created by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.Jennifer Hodges/KCBS Radio
"I think that people should know the good, the bad and the ugly about all of our history, the Missions included, Native Americans included and slavery included," another resident agreed.
In a statement, Police Chief Andrew Mills said that the department is conducting an investigation into the theft of the bell. They have not yet released any suspects or recovered the bell.
Santa Cruz is first in the state to remove all Mission El Camino Real Bells from city owned land.
