Dang do I have a good memory or what....
silentlambs
My conversation with UK WT :
I walk up to the Main office booth at the front gate of UK IBSA . At the window there are two brothers in the booth.
Bill: Hello how are you doing? I was wondering if I might speak with John Andrews?
(The brothers in the booth look scared to death)
Booth: OK, thank you.
Behind me at the door entrance Mark Lee in a blue shirt and red tie comes forward.
Mark: Ah hello good morning, it is good to see you and you are Mr?
Bill: Bowen (at this point I put my hand out for a handshake, he hesitates for a few seconds, but with the pause finally touches a df person)
Mark: Hello Mr. Bowen
Bill: Bill Bowen
Mark: Right, did you receive our letter that we sent to you in ?
Bill: My wife read that to me last night.
Mark: Right, I think it explains that our press officer is away from the country at the moment. So you are very welcome to make an appointment and we would be happy to make an appointment to see you to discuss any concerns you may have. We would require you to make an appointment for that purpose with our press officer.
Bill: Well ah, the letter that I sent asked to meet about today that is the appointment that I requested.
Mark: Right and we did reply to that letter that you are welcome to access our website where our position is clearly made available. You are very welcome to make an appointment with our press officer he is out of the country at the moment but we dont have anybody in the form of Mr. Andrews available to see you today.
Bill: So you do not think John can meet with me today?
Mark: I afraid he is not in a position to, no.
Bill: Ok I understand that, and what is your name?
(he sports a deer in the headlights look)
Mark: Ahhhhhhhh, well, ah, (mumbles) My name is Mark, Mark Lee?
Bill: Mark Lee?
Mark: Thats right yes
Bill: OK, Im Bill Bowen, Ah as you may or may not know I have the organization silentlambs which is for Jehovah's Witness victims of abuse, and so what we try to do is reach out and assist people to turn in child molesters and also give those within the congregation the ability to be believed when they come forward with their allegations. I know its sometimes offensive to even think there is a problem with child molestation within the organization but I've talked or been contacted by over 5,000 victims who were molested as Jehovahs Witnesses. (Mark interrupts)
Mark: Right, if I could say to you I am really not in a position to discuss with you today any concerns you may have. I have no information regarding any specific cases that you might have in mind.
Bill: I understand.
Mark: I think what we might reiterate is that you are very welcome to make an appointment to see our press officer, we are happy to discuss any concerns you may have, I think you will agree that to do that by appointment is fair.
Bill: How would I go about making an appointment then.
Mark: Well, you are welcome to do that by telephone or in writing.
Bill: OK
(Mark looks to the both behind me and says)
Mark: If I could just have a copy of the letter I have there, on the side, there we go. So thats a copy of the letter. That we sent to you I think.
Bill: Ok very good. Well like I said that was in America. If I may I would like to deliver a letter.
Mark: OK, thats fine, we are happy to accept that no problem.
Bill: and also a lamb. (Mark looks surprised nervously says OK) Thats kind of like a symbol we are delivering to Kingdom Halls and Branches around the world.
Mark: OK
Bill: On September 27 th , what that talks about (pointing at letter) is a silentlambs march in Brooklyn New York, and there will be brothers and sisters from around the country who will go there to basically say we have a problem, it needs to be addressed. So I thank you for your time and I appreciate your cordiality. (At this point I put out my hand again and get a quick handshake, poor Mark has touched a df person twice, he will wash his hand for a week)
Mark: Alright good day gentleman, thank you for delivering the statement we appreciate that OK?
Bill: Very good.
Mark: Enjoy your day. Bye bye.
Edited by - silentlambs on 19 September 2002 20:36:1