I greatly respect Archbishop Tutu and his initial message. This feels (and obviously is) a follow up to save face for Trinity. First, even Trinity knows that not all people in this country can vote, and in fact dozens of laws have been passed around the country this year (mostly ID related) to make it difficult for citizen immigrants, young people, and the poor to have their voices heard. Second, Tutu brilliantly uses "forcibly break into." Duarte was not a space that needed to be forcibly broken into until after this dialogue began, when the church allowed absurdly high fences to be erected to keep the protesters away. As the third largest holder of real estate in Manhattan, it's clear where Trinity's priorities lie, and it's not with defending the radical love and radical trust that Christ died for. Suggesting everyone can vote and the protesters are lawbreakers only lends further credence to their claims.

TB on December 16, 2011

They are lawbreakers, or did you miss how they, yes, forcibly broke into the property on 11/15, cutting the locks(just randomly carrying a bolt cutter?). Did you also know they planned to seize the property even before the raid on Zuccotti? In their words "better to ask forgiveness, than wait for permission". Their claim for "sanctuary" was thus a manipulative "sham". There is a deliberate attempt to flail Trinity as "non Christlike" while at the same time, attacking, bullying and trying to go behind Trinity's back to circumvent their decision, but to try to get what OWS wants. Is bullying and stepping on those who have helped you, acting as Christ dictated? And knowing that this is the way in which you would approach things, how can any church in good conscience, acquiesce to such an approach?

nickedo on December 16, 2011

CLARIFICATION: Fences have surrounded the site in question since the art exhibit opened. On November 17, the fence was cut using bolt cutters and has since been repaired.

Moderator on December 16, 2011

Unlike the earlier comments, I use my name. Let me add to the second comment (accurate as far as I can tell from public sources), my suspicion that elements of OWS are not progressive as claimed but right-wing sock puppets. We know that TEC has long been the bete noir of the far right. They hate it with a passion. Now we see one of the most high profile TEC parishes under sustained attack by forces that are at best manipulative or at worst not what they seem. In espionage circles I believe it's called "false flags". Who is funding this attack on Trinity? To those in OWS who are truly progressive I say rethink your position and understand neither Trinity nor TEC are your adversaries. When I think of the difficulties experienced on a daily basis by people in South Sudan or Rwanda and Africa in general and the noble funding and work of this parish, I ask do any of you in OWS have such a record? How dare you OWS elitists in your American comfort decry the Christianity and work of Trinity.

John Morrison on December 16, 2011

As a young Episcopalian, I'm deeply saddened that no compromise can be made.

Patrick Hunter on December 16, 2011

Might I remind those who say Occupy Wall Street are lawbreakers, that Jesus Christ broke the laws of his time? Don't pull out the "acting as Christ dictated" card, he threw the money changers out of the temple. Don't side with the money changers today.

PH on December 16, 2011

I'm with Tutu. See: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/parishes/occupy_wall_street_and_the_epi.php "This movement is too important to be shunned to the periphery, or rendered invisible—especially with Congress’ alarming attempts this week to suppress political dissent through the National Defense Authorization Act. As Christians we have a responsibility to protect demonstrators from our governments’ reckless use of militarized policing—as evidenced by the brutal beating off a Methodist pastor in Seattle on Monday. Furthermore, it is only by embracing and engaging that we can help ensure Occupy’s commitment to nonviolence, as well as contribute our share of the spiritual resources needed for this transformational long-term struggle for justice. And finally, by providing safe-haven we can help insure participation from those communities who are so often terrorized by law enforcement—especially African-American youth and Latino/a immigrants."

The Rev. P Joshua Griffin on December 17, 2011

I agree with what nikedo wrote above. This OWS movement has unfortunately shown itself to be manipulative and now quite greedy, two characteristics it readily points out only other groups are guilty of showing.

sb on December 17, 2011