Opponents of the George W. Bush Library project plan to amp up pressure on the Bush Foundation, SMU and specifically Bush Foundation Chairman Don Evans about approval over land for the complex. Media outlets across the nation picked up stories first reported in The Daily Campus and The New York Times that the group is making a final push to derail the project from coming to SMU.
“It looks like the story may be visible again,” the Rev. Andrew Weaver said, who is a primary leader in the fight against the library project.
Library opponents plan to mail a letter to Evans within a matter of days stating their beliefs about how the process should play out.
Opponents say final approval of a lease on the land for the library complex should come from a vote by 290 jurisdictional delegates at a meeting this July in Dallas.
The Mission Council of the South Central Jurisdiction approved the lease of land on campus in a 10-4 vote, with one abstention, in March 2007. SMU said this is all the approval needed for the library project to continue. Brad Cheves, SMU’s Vice President for External Affairs, said the matter has already been appropriately acted upon by all parties.
“This is more of the same desperate theatrics from the Reverend Weaver,” Cheves said.
Opponents cite part of Methodist Church law as a basis for their continuing efforts to stop the project: “The Judicial Council shall have authority to hear and determine the legality of any action taken therein by any jurisdictional conference board or body.”
Opponents say they could appeal any decision rendered to the judicial council of the United Methodist Church for a final ruling.
The letter to Evans closes bluntly:
“We believe that any signed lease between SMU and the George W. Bush Library Foundation substantiated by a violation of the legal processes of The United Methodist Church, (as defined in its Discipline), prior to this Judicial appeal and interpretation, is an ill-advised action that breaches the laws, rules, regulations and tradition of our church.”
Weaver admitted that an announcement will likely come in the next month, but said that won’t stop opponents from pushing the issue.
Weaver also sent a message on Wednesday to the more than 11,000 people who have signed a petition at protectSMU.org stating that SMU should not be the final home of the library complex. In it he encouraged the signers to find out who the delegates are to the July meeting, contact them and ask them to vote against the project. He also asks for donations for a legal fund that is being created. The “Protect SMU Fund” would pay for any legal staff or aid opponents might need use.
