interfaith statement on OCCUPY SF

SAN FRANCISCO-
interfaith statement on OCCUPY SF
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[ from
http://www.occupysf.com/news/ ]
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Published on 17 November 2011
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Dear Mayor Lee and Board of Supervisors,

As people of faith we are committed to the universal principles of justice, compassion, and love.  Therefore, we stand in solidarity with the principles of the Occupy Movement. Grounded in our traditions of nonviolence, we are committed to being one community, pursuing the goal of economic, political, and social justice for all.
We recognize that the occupation of Justin Herman Plaza presents both the residents of Occupy San Francisco and the City administration with challenges not heretofore encountered.  Our vision as people of faith is a cooperative and collaborative relationship between San Francisco officials and Occupy San Francisco. We believe that ultimatums and threats by the Mayor's office and SFPD do not contribute to a constructive relationship. We call for continued dialogue to resolve all differences in a non-violent and peaceful manner.  As we witness the violence in other cities, we call on our city to seek a better way.
Our respective faiths teach us to remain open always to unseen possibilities, and to welcome the movement of the spirit of love within and among us.  We fear for the safety and well-being of the residents of Occupy San Francisco that a forced eviction would pose, and express our deep concern in particular for those residents who have no permanent housing alternatives.
We call upon Mayor Lee and the other decision-makers of the City of San Francisco and the residents of Occupy San Francisco to continue to work collaboratively and cooperatively, and to imagine and discover as yet unimaginable possibilities in their relationship.
We pray that a confrontational eviction of Occupy residents, with its attendant potential for violence and injury, may be avoided at all costs.  We pray that all parties may be led to create a new paradigm that serves as a beacon to the world and is worthy of the City of St. Francis.


San Francisco Interfaith Allies with Occupy


Signed,
The Right Reverend Otis Charles,Retired Episcopal Bishop of Utah,SF,CA
Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. Dr. Glenda, SF Network Ministries
Dr. Karen P. Oliveto, Glide Memorial Church
Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM
Rev. Carol Been, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice,CA
Deacon Brian Bromberger, St. John of God
Steve Leeds, SF Friends Meeting (Quakers)
Deacon Jan Cazden, Chaplain, CPMC
Rev. Rick Durance, SF Night Ministry
The Rev. Nancy Pennekamp, Campus Ministry San Francisco State
Dolores Priem, Unitarian Universalist
David Hartsbough, San Francisco Friends
Adrienne Fong, Park Presidio UMC
Jan Hartsbough, San Francisco Friends Meeting
Rev. Vicki Gray, Episcopal Diocese of California
Rev. Donna Wood, Park Presidio UMC
Rev. Israel Alvaran, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, SF 
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