Honor Chester Bennington: Rename Lincoln Park "Linkin Park"

by: Sarah Rose

recipient: Santa Monica City Council

On Thursday, July 20, Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington was found dead. He committed suicide at his home in L.A. County. He had a wife and 6 children.



This is a huge tragedy for all of those who have been touched by Bennington's music. Linkin Park's album "Meteora" was one of the most successful alternative albums in music history. The band has had numerous hits over the years, and even collaborated on an EP with Jay Z.



When I was a teenager, I brought a copy of Linkin Park's Meteora CD insert with me every single day to middle school. That record got me through being bullied and made fun of by what felt like everyone in my class. I would read the lyrics when I was teased or picked on.



For a large faction of people in my generation, Linkin Park's music helped those who felt alienated find voice and strength.



The band is named after Santa Monica's Lincoln Park, named for Abraham Lincoln. Considering Abe has countless monuments, streets, counties, buildings and more named after him, let's rename Santa Monica's Lincoln Park to Linkin Park to honor Bennington's contribution to music and the message he spread to all who listened to him: you are not alone.



Please sign this petition to support renaming Santa Monica's Lincoln Park to Linkin Park to honor Chester Bennington.