Some photos from the scene on N. Carroll this afternoon. It is hot out!

Here’s what was going on at Grace this morning during the Farmer’s Market. Members of the Camerata String Quartet played to pitch for the upcoming Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society (if you’re in Madison, their season is not to be missed).

Here is a photo:

We’ll see what the sidewalk outside our doors looks like tomorrow.

Oh, and by the way, apparently the city of Madison does value a church as much as an empty storefront; it turns out both of the other locations where 24-hour tents are permitted are in front of vacant commercial space.

Here’s what we know now:

-Overnight tent camping areas:  They were allowed three areas where they could set up 24-hour tents:  On N. Carroll St. in front of Grace Church; in front of 14 W. Mifflin (they will try to keep to unoccupied storefront) and in front of 2 E. Mifflin St.  All tents must be attended at all times.

There are other details as well. Hopefully the disruption to us will be minimal. We shall see. I would make a comment about Grace being equivalent in the city’s understanding to an unoccupied storefront, but the third location, 2 E. Mifflin, is a multi-story office building.

I’m looking forward to meeting our new neighbors, inviting them to services, and to volunteer in their free time at our food pantry.

Word is coming out that the permit for Walkerville has been approved, but there are restrictions. For one thing, tents will be allowed only overnight (from 9:00 pm-7:00 am, with an earlier departure on Saturday to accommodate the Farmers’ Market). There are other restrictions related to the placement of food, medical supplies, and information. Although the permit was approved, an additional campground permit will be required.

I’m disappointed in these results–disappointed for the city, for downtown residents and businesses, and for the ministry and mission of Grace Church. We’ve been placed in a very difficult position by the organizers of the protest, who didn’t take the time or deem it necessary to discuss their plans with us or with the others who would be most affected by it. We opened our doors to the protesters repeatedly in February and March and occasionally our hospitality was abused.

I posted last night about my relief that Mayor Soglin had cancelled the August Ride the Drive event. Then I woke up this morning to news about Walkerville, a proposed tent city, that, you guessed would be pitched right outside the doors of Grace Church beginning Saturday. I received emails from parishioners expressing their concern and talked to our neighbor business owners who are concerned about the impact on their livelihoods.

I made phone calls and sent emails to various elected officials and city bureaucrats. We’ll see what happens. Again, as I’ve said before; it’s not that I’m opposed to the protests. As one businessman said in frustration, “I’m a Democrat!” This is the same issue for me as it is with the marathon or Ride the Drive. Organizers of such events pay little attention to the effects of their events on those who live and work in their midst. Yes, such events may bring business, but they also create enormous inconvenience. For example, I doubt very much whether many of our elderly members will want to make their way to church through a gauntlet of protestors. I should think regular conversations about such matters would go a long way to allaying concerns and even give rise to accommodation or compromise. That the organizers of the event didn’t bother to communicate with us before I began expressing my concern is troubling indeed.