Protesters Disrupt Business Meeting!

Today was our second-to-last day of General Assembly. I don’t want to leave! I like this crazy string of debates, free meals, late nights, early mornings, conversations and fast friendships. I was just getting accustomed to the uncomfortably low temperature in the Conference Center, and now we have to leave. I guess the fact that the building was overtaken by a Yu-Gi-Oh! Convention this morning should have served as fair warning of GA’s rapidly approaching conclusion. [insert sad face here]

The excitement of today’s plenary occurred around 5:00pm when a group of protesters (not affiliated with the Presbyterian Church) came into the auditorium and interrupted our business meeting. The moderator was notified of their presence when they had entered the section of the auditorium reserved for commissioners and advisory delegates only, refusing to leave. In response, the moderator called for a recess and asked us to stand and join together in singing a hymn. As we began to sing, the protesters walked down the right aisle towards the stage, carrying signs which read “Prayer: Ordinance, Marriage, Pensions.” Large news cameras followed the procession, and the officials on stage looked on in confusion. Everyone strained to discern what the signs said, and a sense of uneasiness overtook the hall. The hymn ended and the room fell quiet as those in the room looked on in confusion at the group of protesters who had now lined up in a row on the stage. Amid the shifting and whispering, a small voice began to sing. The rest of the protesters gradually joined the voice in a song about prayer, and everyone stood to listen.

The moderator advised us to get up and walk about in recess, therefore ignoring the protesters who had interrupted the meeting and caught the attention of everyone in the room. No one really knew how to react as the people on stage continued to sing, holding their signs above their heads for all of us to see. Observers from the bleachers booed the protesters and delegates on the floor approached the stage with cameras. Police then entered the auditorium, asking the protestors to leave. Several resisted and were arrested, stirring alarm and confusion throughout the hall. Groups of people gathered together immediately to gather in prayer and reflect on what had just happened.

The recent debate over gay rights has caused immense tension throughout the General Assembly and the thought of a possible split in the church is terrifying to those who have loved the Presbyterian Church their entire life. Almost everyone at this assembly has a strong opinion on the subject of gay rights and cannot enter debate with a truly open mind. Trying to find compromises on an issue with such polarized viewpoints is nearly impossible. This controversy will not be resolved easily, and the news attention which the issue is receiving is only one indication of its extreme importance to the Presbyterian denomination as a whole.