Updated statement from Trinity Wall Street on Duarte Square
The rector of Trinity Wall Street has posted an updated message about the use of Duarte Square by Occupy Wall Street protestors.
From time to time people of goodwill may disagree. We disagree with those who argue that Trinity should--indeed, must as a matter of conscience--allow Occupy Wall Street to liberate its Duarte Square lot at Avenue of the Americas and Canal Street for an open encampment and large scale assemblies. In all good conscience and faith, we strongly believe to do so would be wrong, unsafe, unhealthy and potentially injurious.Trinity has probably done as much or more for the protestors than any other institution in the area. We have provided OWS with meeting rooms and offices for them to assemble, plan and hold private discussions. We have provided pastoral services. We have provided a place of refuge and tranquility at our neighborhood center during open hours where they can rest, use computers, charge cell phones, and use bathrooms. Hundreds avail themselves of these facilities and services every day. It is one simple reflection of Trinity's inherent concern for our community and for social and economic justice which has been at the heart of the church's mission for more than 300 years.
We want to be responsive, while also being responsible, to our residential and business neighbors, partners, visitors and tenants-our entire community. There are no facilities at the Canal Street lot. Demanding access and vandalizing the property by a determined few OWS protesters won't alter the fact that there are no basic elements to sustain an encampment. The health, safety and security problems posed by an encampment here, compounded by winter weather, would dwarf those experienced at Zuccotti Park.
Calling this an issue of "political sanctuary" is manipulative and blind to reality. Equating the desire to seize this property with uprisings against tyranny is misguided, at best. Hyperbolic distortion drives up petition signatures, but doesn't make it right. Those arrested were not seeking sanctuary; they were seeking to be arrested. Trinity will continue our responsible outreach and pastoral services for all. We appreciate the many expressions of support we have received from so many in the community.
--The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper
Rector
Awesome.
He could just as well have read, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie".
If you give an Occupy protester anything they'll just keep wanting more and kick you in the groin while doing it. Between Trinity and St Paul's it's funny how sympathetic churches became targets.
Posted by Dave Paisley![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 9, 2011 8:43 PM
Trinity has probably done as much or more for the protestors than any other institution in the area.
Self-justification? How many biblical injunctions against THAT?
I don't pretend to have the answers here. But I DO know that the Rev Dr's finger-pointing ("manipulative" "hyperbolic") isn't going to solve anything.
More Light, Lord, grant us More Light!
JC Fisher
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 10, 2011 2:58 AM
[If someone at EC is going to edit my remarks, then I believe they should sign THEIR name to it, too.]
I called Cooper's *letter*, and D Paisley's *comment*, "ugly": my evaluation still stands. My criticism is not ad hominem (both men are loved of God, and probably better Christians than I am), but is my honest opinion of these literary works.
I expect EC to print my opinion, even if the editors disagree w/ it.
JC Fisher
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 11, 2011 2:39 AM
Dear JC Fisher:
I edited your comment as it seemed ad hominem and denigrating to another commenter. We try to keep the conversation tone civil.
Posted by Ann Fontaine![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 11, 2011 9:34 AM