I wanted to provide further background information regarding the court trial in Ritzville and also some guidelines that might be followed with future situations that may arise with support for victims who are put in this situation.
First the information on where to stay:
Colwell Porter Motel 509-659-1620
About a block from courthouse, rate $40-$50 per night.
Top Hat Motel 509-659-1100
About block from courthouse, rate $40-$50 per night.
Eating:
Circle C Restaurant 509-659-0922
About block from courthouse, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Flowers:
Local flower Shop in Ritzville 509-659-0980 (only one)
Othello shop that delivers to Ritzville 800-280-6303
Courthouse:
Adams County Courthouse
210 West Broadway Avenue
Ritzville, WA 99169-1860
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/southeast/ritzville/ritzville.htm
Plan of activities:
Monday
7pm-Meet at Colwell Porter Motel Lobby. Welcome and brief meeting
Tuesday
7am-8:45am-meeting and breakfast at Circle C.
8:45am-9am-walk to courthouse.
9am-noon-trial
Lunch-
1pm-5pm-trial
*this schedule should continue for the length of the trial, about three days.
To be announced: When the trial is completed we might have some type of farewell gathering to wish Erica and family well.
A few guidelines we may want to consider.
1. We ask that all dress in appropriate manner for court, you use your judgment in the matter.
2. We ask all behave in a dignified and respectful manner toward all proceedings. While we may feel anger, we would never want to cause further problems for Erica and her family by our conduct.
3. We ask that all freely interact and show support for one another as well as Erica and her family.**
**I have had some who are coming express concern as to the proper conduct toward Disfellowshipped ones or persons who are not witnesses who attend this gathering. To answer this aspect of our gathering requires a new arrangement I am going to ask all who attend to support. The basis of this arrangement might be illustrated by the attitude manifested whenever you help someone in need. If you lived next to a river and a flood was coming your way would you have any qualification for those who helped sandbag to save your home? Certainly not! When a person is in need whoever pitches in is accepted as an equal for the assistance they offer. I wish to establish for this and future trials that those who want to attend follow the guideline of “don’t ask don’t tell”.
What does this mean? Basically anyone who attends a trial in support of a victim is going to be welcomed one and all. You are on neutral territory to help serve a need that has arisen. No one asks your status as a witness and no one discloses their status with regard to the organization. We all attend to support the victim and support one another in an important issue that we feel helps children and victims of abuse. By all mutually making the agreement of not knowing the past or status of anyone with regard to the organization, we protect one another from any attack Watchtower might mount to keep people away. I am sorry to have to ask for this arrangement, but it should serve the best interests of all concerned. If you were to unknowingly speak or eat with a DF person, what could Watchtower do? While this type of conduct is not being encouraged let’s just “don’t ask don’t tell”, then it becomes a non-issue for anyone who may have concerns in this area.
I thank one and all for the kind words and support offered in so many ways to this effort. It is my hope this will be the beginning of a movement to fully support victims of molestation whenever they face court or proceedings that pit them against the congregation or the pedophile.
I look forward to meeting and seeing you all as we do something positive for Erica and make a statement to Watchtower.