Dear Friends,
Contrary to our previous report, the Dutch representative for ICOMOS,
Mr. E. van Brederode, has today informed Dr. Jeremy Bangs that the
Paris-based organization has been instructed not to take any action
to prevent the demolition of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk in Leiden.
In a stunning blow to an otherwise democratic process, the city of
Leiden has "restricted comment on the plans by concerned citizens to
allow only those who live with a view of the church to speak."
Because of resident turn-over in rental properties, there is now only
one such "qualified" person left who has been there since the process
began in 1992. Incredibly, city officials are claiming a popular
mandate to proceed with the demolition.
Now more than ever, it is important to continue to spread the facts
surrounding the plight of the Vrouwekerk. Towards that end, the
Cleveland-based United Church of Christ has published a remarkable
story and online petition on their website at
http://ucc.org/. Please
take a few moments to read this beautifully crafted report and sign
the petition.
Sincerely,
Ren
L. Reynolds LeVally
Delano Kindred of America
PO Box 2635
Duxbury, MA 02331
http://www.delanoye.org/