Their basis for tearing out sections of the wall is "to make the route more pedestrian-friendly" (YDN, 09/25/09)?!?! What is not friendly about a stone wall? Yale is MADE of stone walls!!! In every college, every building, etc. etc. What's wrong with a cemetery wall?
Something is fishy here. I have not seen any valid reason for them wanting to tear down wall, other than this silly one. I walked back and forth down that street for years as a Yale student, including on dark winter evenings as a member of the Yale band. As a highly safety-conscious individual, I always liked the stone wall! It gives the bad guys no where to hide, so you can't be snuck up on as a pedestrian. Also, gee, there's another sidewalk across the street, which is flanked by Yale buildings.
So, their reason for wanting to tear down parts of the wall is really weak and frankly specious, PLUS it would not be very nice to people visiting their relatives inside who would now be subject to greater traffic noise, PLUS the whole cemetery is a historic place, etc.

Just, why? I demand proof from those that want to go forward with the project that there is actually a public demand for this for safety reasons. Otherwise, what's the point??

-Jessica Johnson, Yale '08

This article from the Independent suggests the request has been withdrawn.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/10/cemetery_wall_t.php