NEWS from the
Save the Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee*
(*Affiliated with the Fools but not JUST the Fools)
We're a group of concerned Tower supporters who oppose the sale - and subsequent necessary rezoning- of the heart and center (and namesake) of our beloved neighborhood to an evangelical Foursquare church.
Our committee is made up of residents, artists, business owners, and non-profit organizations who value and love our uniquely special district and are determined to help maintain its integrity. We are working tirelessly to support the neighborhood stakeholders - especially the business owners- who will suffer greatly from this transaction.
We're a group of concerned Tower supporters who oppose the sale - and subsequent necessary rezoning- of the heart and center (and namesake) of our beloved neighborhood to an evangelical Foursquare church.
Our committee is made up of residents, artists, business owners, and non-profit organizations who value and love our uniquely special district and are determined to help maintain its integrity. We are working tirelessly to support the neighborhood stakeholders - especially the business owners- who will suffer greatly from this transaction.
CURRENT NEWS.
Right now, as Sequoia continues to fight for their first right of refusal, our primary purpose is to keep pressure on the city to A) not allow a rezone and B) not allow Adventure Church to use the Tower Theatre illegally if they force a purchase through with a lis pendens on the property.
Basically, the ruling from the week of April 21st is as follows:
The judge granted the BIG thing in Sequoias favor - the lis pendens - which allows them to go to court to argue for their RoFR (which the first judge denied).There were two other things in the case that the judge offered no opinion on, which basically sends the whole thing back down to the lower court to work out via a trial. In short:
This means, our demonstrations on Sunday morning continue. 8am- 11am on the northwest corner of Wishon and Olive Avenues, across from the theatre. Every single weekend. (Protests originally were held until noon every Sunday, but now that Roger Rocka's and GCP have opened back up, we're trying to clear out in time for their customers to have an easy time finding parking.)
We also need everyone who is behind the community to write to all our elected official (and to the church, if you feel comfortable with it and can be respectful and argue your point without calling anyone names). We've set up a template for you to use, along with all the email addresses you should write to, here: bit.ly/NoRezoneLetter2.
Basically, the ruling from the week of April 21st is as follows:
The judge granted the BIG thing in Sequoias favor - the lis pendens - which allows them to go to court to argue for their RoFR (which the first judge denied).There were two other things in the case that the judge offered no opinion on, which basically sends the whole thing back down to the lower court to work out via a trial. In short:
- The court upheld Sequoia's right to have their day in court over their Right of First Refusal (yay!)
- The theatre cannot complete escrow with ANY buyer until the case has gone to trial - probably about 60 days. (cool).
- This result will cost Sequoia a lot more money. (Boo!)
This means, our demonstrations on Sunday morning continue. 8am- 11am on the northwest corner of Wishon and Olive Avenues, across from the theatre. Every single weekend. (Protests originally were held until noon every Sunday, but now that Roger Rocka's and GCP have opened back up, we're trying to clear out in time for their customers to have an easy time finding parking.)
We also need everyone who is behind the community to write to all our elected official (and to the church, if you feel comfortable with it and can be respectful and argue your point without calling anyone names). We've set up a template for you to use, along with all the email addresses you should write to, here: bit.ly/NoRezoneLetter2.
OUR FACT SHEET.
Go HERE to see our Fact Sheet response to the misleading FAQ document that Adventure Church put out. If you have any questions, our media contact is Jaguar Bennett: jaguarbennett@gmail.com | 559-355-9154
THE COMMUNITY LETTER.
We published the Save the Tower community letter (created with our friends from Rogue Festival) on Munro Review, along with an in depth interview with our Creative Director, Haley White. Then, we're mailing out hard copies to various community leaders. You can visit Munro Review to see the letter and signatures once they're published. We will eventually add more digital signatures here.
We published the Save the Tower community letter (created with our friends from Rogue Festival) on Munro Review, along with an in depth interview with our Creative Director, Haley White. Then, we're mailing out hard copies to various community leaders. You can visit Munro Review to see the letter and signatures once they're published. We will eventually add more digital signatures here.
W
OUR #NOREZONE ASSETS
If you want to read up more on our fight, check out our #NOREZONE Asset document. It includes action items, media coverage, information from Adventure Church, and more.
OUR #NOREZONE ASSETS
If you want to read up more on our fight, check out our #NOREZONE Asset document. It includes action items, media coverage, information from Adventure Church, and more.
THE SAVE TOWER FUND
If you would like to support our efforts financially, you can text SAVETOWER to 44321 or visit http://bit.ly/SAVETOWER. Funds will go to our advocacy efforts and, if we raise enough, our hope is to be able to use the majority of the money to support struggling Tower District businesses that are hurting because of their dedication to keeping our community safe during this pandemic.
Another place worth sending your spare change is the Save the Tower Theatre Legal Fund. Money donated here goes directly to supporting Sequoia Brewing and other local businesses as they fight to have their legal rights recognized and be given the opportunity to purchase the Tower Theatre and complex, maintain its current land use and zoning, and safeguard the entire district from any possible rezone and resulting economic damages.
ART AND MERCH
Currently available: Tower Ball masks, made by J Esparza at Reistance Tattoo (design by Lyric Gianni) are being sold at Sour Milk. Proceeds go to the Save Tower Demonstration Committee.
If you would like to support our efforts financially, you can text SAVETOWER to 44321 or visit http://bit.ly/SAVETOWER. Funds will go to our advocacy efforts and, if we raise enough, our hope is to be able to use the majority of the money to support struggling Tower District businesses that are hurting because of their dedication to keeping our community safe during this pandemic.
Another place worth sending your spare change is the Save the Tower Theatre Legal Fund. Money donated here goes directly to supporting Sequoia Brewing and other local businesses as they fight to have their legal rights recognized and be given the opportunity to purchase the Tower Theatre and complex, maintain its current land use and zoning, and safeguard the entire district from any possible rezone and resulting economic damages.
ART AND MERCH
Currently available: Tower Ball masks, made by J Esparza at Reistance Tattoo (design by Lyric Gianni) are being sold at Sour Milk. Proceeds go to the Save Tower Demonstration Committee.
Our friends at Fresno EOC LGBTQ Center have a Tower Pride shirt for sale. You can purchase it online in the Link Tree of their Instagram, or in person at the Sunday demonstrations. Proceeds go to EOC.
PRAYER VIGIL & STATEMENT FROM LOCAL INTERFAITH LEADERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Interfaith group of religious leaders to hold prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as an LGTBQ+ safe space Thursday, March 11 at 4 p.m.
What: Prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as an LBGTQ+ safe space
Who: An interfaith community group of Fresno religious leaders and the Save the Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee
When: Thursday, March 11, at 4 p.m.
Where: Northeast corner of Olive and Wishon, across from the Tower Theatre
FRESNO, Calif., March 4 — An interfaith group of Fresno religious leaders, in a joint effort with the Save the Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee, will hold a prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as a welcoming LGBTQ+ safe community on Thursday, March 11, at 4 p.m. at the northeast corner of Olive and Wishon.
The centerpiece of the prayer vigil will be the reading of a statement calling for the preservation of the Tower District as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, signed by over 20 religious leaders from Valley churches and people of faith. (See below for full text.)
“This will be a time to join together to acknowledge the present pain, pray for healing, and pray for the flourishing of the whole Tower community,” said Rev. Raygan Baker of The Big Red Church (First Congregational Church of Fresno, United Church of Christ).
“Our prayer is that the Tower District would be a place where businesses, community groups, faith communities, families, and individuals would flourish. We believe that God’s love and liberation has been present amongst the hospitality that has been historically found in the Tower and we long for that love and liberation to continue to grow,” said Rev. Simon Biasell of Woven Community Church.
“This will not be a demonstration, but simply a prayer for peace and mutual understanding in a difficult time for our community,” said Kaitlyn Nichols, a member of the Save the Tower Theatre Committee.
The event will also feature speakers from a number of different religious congregations and faith.
Full text of the statement that will be read at the prayer vigil follows:
An open letter to the Fresno community:
We write as Fresno Christian faith leaders representing various traditions and denominations because of our love for the city of Fresno, the Tower District, and those who call these places home. In response to a request from a number of Tower community members, we offer this statement in response to Adventure Church’s efforts to purchase the Tower Theater. We recognize the significance and impact of the current events, and also acknowledge the problematic ways in which churches have historically operated throughout the Valley. With this history in mind, we know that Christians are still called to offer the same love and radical hospitality that Jesus Christ modeled throughout the Gospels. This is why we believe that the Tower District should be preserved as a place where all are welcomed.
We acknowledge the pain, hurt, and trauma that Christians have caused by forcing themselves into communities and their beliefs onto community members.
We acknowledge the importance of preserving the Tower District, and the role of the Tower Theater as a beacon for those who have been marginalized, ostracized, and demonized here in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley.
Our prayer is that the Tower District would be a place where businesses, community groups, faith communities, families, and individuals would flourish. We believe that God’s love and liberation has been present amongst the hospitality that has been historically found in the Tower and we long for that love and liberation to continue to grow.
We believe it is essential that the Tower Theater remain the heart of the Tower community. It is our hope that the theater’s future ownership acknowledges its role as a beacon and respite for the LGBTQ+ community, continues to reflect its cultural iconography, and fosters a safe place where everyone can feel welcomed, accepted, affirmed for who they are. The community is invited to join us and Save The Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee at 4:00 on March 11th across from the Tower Theater for a prayer vigil. This will be a time to join together to acknowledge the present pain, pray for healing, and pray for the flourishing of the whole Tower community.
Rev. Raygan Baker – Big Red Church
Rev. April Alkema – Woven Community
Rev. Simon Biasell – Woven Community
The Very Rev. Sam Colley-Toothaker
Ellie Dote
Robin McGehee
Marcel Woodruff – Faith in the Valley
Ariana Martinez-Lot
Anthony “AP” Armour – Neighborhood Industries
Rev. Akiko Miyake Stoner – United Methodist Pastor
Rev. Karen Pugh – Wesley United Methodist Church
Channelle Charest
Yammilette Rodriguez
Rev. Bill Knezovich – Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Rev. Nancy Key – St. James Episcopal Cathedral
Rev. Terrance Goodpasture – St. James Episcopal Cathedral
Bridget Webster
Brandon Freeman
Rev. Ara Guekguzian – Presbyterian Pastor
Rev. Bryson White – Faith in the Valley
LJ Mariano
Aaron Frisby
###
Interfaith group of religious leaders to hold prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as an LGTBQ+ safe space Thursday, March 11 at 4 p.m.
What: Prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as an LBGTQ+ safe space
Who: An interfaith community group of Fresno religious leaders and the Save the Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee
When: Thursday, March 11, at 4 p.m.
Where: Northeast corner of Olive and Wishon, across from the Tower Theatre
FRESNO, Calif., March 4 — An interfaith group of Fresno religious leaders, in a joint effort with the Save the Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee, will hold a prayer vigil in support of preserving the Tower District as a welcoming LGBTQ+ safe community on Thursday, March 11, at 4 p.m. at the northeast corner of Olive and Wishon.
The centerpiece of the prayer vigil will be the reading of a statement calling for the preservation of the Tower District as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, signed by over 20 religious leaders from Valley churches and people of faith. (See below for full text.)
“This will be a time to join together to acknowledge the present pain, pray for healing, and pray for the flourishing of the whole Tower community,” said Rev. Raygan Baker of The Big Red Church (First Congregational Church of Fresno, United Church of Christ).
“Our prayer is that the Tower District would be a place where businesses, community groups, faith communities, families, and individuals would flourish. We believe that God’s love and liberation has been present amongst the hospitality that has been historically found in the Tower and we long for that love and liberation to continue to grow,” said Rev. Simon Biasell of Woven Community Church.
“This will not be a demonstration, but simply a prayer for peace and mutual understanding in a difficult time for our community,” said Kaitlyn Nichols, a member of the Save the Tower Theatre Committee.
The event will also feature speakers from a number of different religious congregations and faith.
Full text of the statement that will be read at the prayer vigil follows:
An open letter to the Fresno community:
We write as Fresno Christian faith leaders representing various traditions and denominations because of our love for the city of Fresno, the Tower District, and those who call these places home. In response to a request from a number of Tower community members, we offer this statement in response to Adventure Church’s efforts to purchase the Tower Theater. We recognize the significance and impact of the current events, and also acknowledge the problematic ways in which churches have historically operated throughout the Valley. With this history in mind, we know that Christians are still called to offer the same love and radical hospitality that Jesus Christ modeled throughout the Gospels. This is why we believe that the Tower District should be preserved as a place where all are welcomed.
We acknowledge the pain, hurt, and trauma that Christians have caused by forcing themselves into communities and their beliefs onto community members.
- This common and deliberately aggressive form of Christian evangelicalism can be directly traced to the colonization of the United States.
- We acknowledge that Christian colonization is not just a part of our history, but remnants of colonization tactics can also be easily identified in today’s churches, as well as in more covert ways that are often overlooked or unnoticed by well-meaning church leaders.
- We recognize that the recent turmoil and attempts to change the Tower District against its residents’ wishes has likely triggered painful trauma from the past.
- It is important to us as Christian leaders that we not only acknowledge the pain caused in the past but also invest in work that brings healing to those who have been hurt.
We acknowledge the importance of preserving the Tower District, and the role of the Tower Theater as a beacon for those who have been marginalized, ostracized, and demonized here in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley.
- The Tower Theater is known as a place where members of the LGBTQ+ community, creatives, artists, and self-professed outcasts can feel safe, and feel seen.
- The Tower District is arguably the safest place in the Central Valley where people marginalized because of sexual and gender identities and expressions can demonstrate affection for a partner.
- The Tower District is a place where people can fully be who God made them to be.
- The Tower District welcomes, loves, and celebrates members of the LGBTQ+ community in ways our Valley churches have struggled to, or never cared to.
- Businesses in the Tower District have played an essential role in cultivating a thriving community, and it is critical that current zoning laws remain in place in order to continue fostering healthy economic growth.
Our prayer is that the Tower District would be a place where businesses, community groups, faith communities, families, and individuals would flourish. We believe that God’s love and liberation has been present amongst the hospitality that has been historically found in the Tower and we long for that love and liberation to continue to grow.
We believe it is essential that the Tower Theater remain the heart of the Tower community. It is our hope that the theater’s future ownership acknowledges its role as a beacon and respite for the LGBTQ+ community, continues to reflect its cultural iconography, and fosters a safe place where everyone can feel welcomed, accepted, affirmed for who they are. The community is invited to join us and Save The Tower Theatre Demonstration Committee at 4:00 on March 11th across from the Tower Theater for a prayer vigil. This will be a time to join together to acknowledge the present pain, pray for healing, and pray for the flourishing of the whole Tower community.
Rev. Raygan Baker – Big Red Church
Rev. April Alkema – Woven Community
Rev. Simon Biasell – Woven Community
The Very Rev. Sam Colley-Toothaker
Ellie Dote
Robin McGehee
Marcel Woodruff – Faith in the Valley
Ariana Martinez-Lot
Anthony “AP” Armour – Neighborhood Industries
Rev. Akiko Miyake Stoner – United Methodist Pastor
Rev. Karen Pugh – Wesley United Methodist Church
Channelle Charest
Yammilette Rodriguez
Rev. Bill Knezovich – Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
Rev. Nancy Key – St. James Episcopal Cathedral
Rev. Terrance Goodpasture – St. James Episcopal Cathedral
Bridget Webster
Brandon Freeman
Rev. Ara Guekguzian – Presbyterian Pastor
Rev. Bryson White – Faith in the Valley
LJ Mariano
Aaron Frisby
###
