City residents fired up over banners

YAKIMA, Wash. - January 4, 2008 - The design on the banners is meant to symbolize the rays of the sun. But some feel the abstract pattern looks more like rifles or pistols. The banners are a project of the nonprofit Committee for Downtown Yakima. The committee's Sean Hawkins says he can see how some people might misinterpret the design. He says the plan has always been to rotate the banners, as finances allow. But he indicates the committee could speed up that process if people feel there's an urgent need for graphic gun control.