Our View: Protest Choices

We totally understand the decision of the board of trustees of the Chatham Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse to hit the pause button on political protests on its lawn. It’s one of the most visible spots in town, so of course it’s the first choice of those seeking to get a message across.

 Since two protest rallies were held at the location earlier this summer, much has changed. If anything, the polarization of the country has increased, dangerous rhetoric has flowed from the nation’s top leadership, and nobody seems inclined to lower the temperature. 

 Unitarian Universalist organizations have a long history of supporting social justice, and we are confident that Chatham’s Meetinghouse will continue that tradition. The decision, the trustees wrote in a statement, is not “a denial of the urgent issues facing our nation today.” Instead, they want protest organizers to consider holding rallies at other locations “that are accessible, safe and welcoming to all members of our wider community” and will consider future requests to use their lawn on a case-by-case basis.

 We can also see this as an attempt to lower the temperature and avoid potential conflicts, instincts to be honored and not ignored. One final protest is planned for the Meetinghouse lawn on Oct. 18. We doubt it will be the last.