wfn.org | Demonstrations Overture

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Note #6604 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-June-2001
GA01047

Demonstrations Overture

by Frank Buhrman

LOUISVILLE, June 11 – After discussions that at times seemed to pit
democracy and the Holy Spirit against the Book of Order and the need for
"decency and good order" in governance, the General Assembly Procedures
Committee voted Monday to recommend against overturning the ban on peaceful
demonstrations approved last year.

	The 25-22 vote spelled defeat for an effort to drop Standing Rule B.13,
which limits demonstrations to being held at least 25 feet outside the
building in which the Assembly is meeting. A subsequent vote to disapprove
the overture passed by 26-19, with one abstention.

	The issue was laid to rest – at least for 2001 – after slightly
more than one hour of commissioner discussion and almost one-half hour of
open hearing comments.

	Those opposed cited the need for order – one Youth Advisory Delegate
compared the process to entering a polling place to vote – and the
possible intimidation demonstrators might achieve. They added that ample
opportunities remain for demonstrations and other forms of dissent.

	Proponents of the change said that demonstrations gave a voice to those
otherwise without it and denied that they were disruptive. They also said
that the actions promoted healing, although the opponents strongly contested
that point. There also was disagreement on which position politicized the
process.

The committee discussions were mirrored earlier Monday in an open hearing
that drew the overwhelming majority of its comment on Overture 01-05. Ten
individuals spoke to the overture, split evenly between those in favor and
those against.

	Included in the latter group was Herbert Valentine (Presbytery of
Philadelphia), who was General Assembly moderator in 1991 and in that
capacity allowed a demonstration. He called them "absolutely necessary."

	Rebecca McElroy, vice moderator at last year's Assembly, disagreed. She
said that a moderator's decision whether or not to allow a demonstration
would unavoidably be seen as having "taken sides."

	In the end, "decency and good order" won out, but with the additional
sentiment that demonstrations did not promote the movement of the Holy
Spirit at the Assembly. Stephen Elderbrock (Presbytery of the Twin Cities
Area) supported his support of retaining the demonstration ban by saying,
"The General Assembly should be a spiritual place."

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