Hello from SNAP of Tennessee. This is from me, Susan Vance to all of you.
This message is going out as a plea to each of you for your help.
On Saturday, September 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we want to hold a rally in Nashville. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be there.
I am calling this the "Tip of the Iceberg Rally." This is to show that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to clergy sexual abuse. We have survivors of priests of Tennessee. We have survivors of priests from other states. Some abuse happened here. Some happened elsewhere. The fact is that WE ARE ALL SURVIVORS, and we need to get together.
Reasons for the rally:
--- We need to show some kind of "group" presence to let Tennessee know that we are still working for survivors of clergy abuse.
--- We are going to have at least one press conference where we will emphasize issues relevant to all of us. We will be holding signs, talking to the press, walking from Centenniel park to the cathedral down West End Avenue. We need all of you to make a huge crowd.
--- We need to gather friends and relatives and anyone we can get to show up to be a crowd of support.
The exact details of the day will be sent in a later email, and I am open to your suggestions.
Here is the bottomline: MARK YOUR CALENDAR. I am not asking for a wishy-washy answer as to whether you will be able to come to this. I know it is a drive for many of us, but Nashville is central and is the best solution for all. CANCEL ALL OTHER APPOINTMENTS, and be there. GATHER YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, and be there. PUT GAS IN THE CAR, and be there (and pick up several others on the way).
I NEED you go be there. You can make it known that you are a survivor or you can be silent about it and be part of the crowd of support. I really don't care which way you choose to participate, but JUST BE THERE.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR and be there. No more excuses. No more maybes. Grab someone to come with you.
I have driven across this state dozens of times, and I am now asking for YOU to help ME out.
I look forward to a reply from each of you. Don't make me pick up the phone and call. Tell me that you are willing to do this for the cause that we have worked so hard for.
If I sound angry, I am not. I am so wanting to scream your message from the mountaintops. I just need you to be there. Many of you have been there for so many things, and I thank you. Many of you cannot, and I understand. But if there is ANY WAY you can be in Nashville for this, I am begging you to do so.
Thanks.
Susan Vance
P.S. UT football is NOT being played that weekend. Titans football is NOT being played that weekend. Vanderbilt does not play until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday night. Now, what other excuses could you possibly have?