Prop 8 Protests on Saturday 11/15 in over 80 Cities

[ademas]

be there!

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

[J.R.E.]

We're going to "Be There",... In St. Petersburg tomorrow ! Meeting up with a few others we know.

Ray

[Oceanbeach]

Protesting to whom?  The janitors, the maintenance staff?  Courts are closed on Saturday in over 80 cities, the Court staff might read about it in the newspaper...    Have the best day
Michael

[sharkdiver]

Protesting to whom?  The janitors, the maintenance staff?  Courts are closed on Saturday in over 80 cities, the Court staff might read about it in the newspaper...    Have the best day
Michael

I must agree with you Michael. I really wish they would start using the term "rally" for events like this. It is time to really gather support from all communities and gather in unity. I've become involved with a community group that is focused on community outreach and building alliances. I am thankful that so many around here(in Sac at least) have moved beyond thinking that this is just about marriage rights, its about equal rights.

But I must say, that most of these demonstrations and protests are being organized  by the younger 20 something crowd. Probably most have never cared for someone who was dying of AIDS or carried a panel of the AIDS quilt. Probably most haven't even met a person who was a civil rights activist or Vietnam protester. But I have to give them credit, they are DOING SOMETHING. So there are a little bugs to work out. so there are temptations to address from internet rumors and little fact checking. So there are important allies being left out or ignored during events. But I will support them in whatever way I can.

[Oceanbeach]

I marched in Sacramento a few times on different issues, starting with the Vietnam War protests in the late 60's.  I was probably 18 and we did it during the hours the Capital building was open and the Governor (Ronald Reagan) was in the building at the time.

With 453 precincts of 453 precincts reporting on Election Eve in Sonoma County, the vote against Prop 8 was 66.9%, for Prop 8 was 33.1%.  That is a two thirds majority against Prop 8 and there is a "rally" today at the courthouse in Santa Rosa, why?  That courthouse is surrounded by acres of county offices, all closed on Saturday, finding parking will not be a problem.

It takes a lot of planning to put together a "rally" or "protest" in 80 cities and to me, it seems if you are going to march on a courthouse, there should be someone there, other than a janitorial staff in order to make an impression.     Have the best day
Michael

[David_CA]

We attended the one here today.  I was happy to see that there were quite a few people there.  Hubby and I had our pic taken with the only protester I saw; he had a sign made from a black marker on a piece of a beer box! 

[GSOgymrat]

I just read on CNN there is a "Gay Enemies List" of people and organizations that supported Prop 8. Here is the article: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1859323,00.html?cnn=yes and here is the website with the list: http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/

[ademas]

this little search tool is good, too:

http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/

[Seadickrun]

The Seattle protest was awesome.  We have had flooding all week long around the state but today nothing but sunshine.  The protest was well organized and I only expected about 300 people to show up but thousands came out.  This was the second largest protest I have been in during my life (the largest was the anti-Iraq war protest) and I have never seen so many signs in a protest. 

The parade route started at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill (the gay/alternative neighborhood) and proceeded downtown to the Westlake Center.  The Westlake Center is in the middle of the shopping district with Macy's on one side and Nordstrom's on the other.  It was interesting to see the look on the shopper's faces as thousands of chanting protesters blocked downtown traffic trying to get into the center.  At one point, I thought I would not be able to get closer than a block away.  The crowd was really diverse and it was interesting to see which politicians showed up.  I expected the gay state senators and gay representative but was surprised that the mayor and the King County Executive showed up.  Ron Sims (the King County Executive) gave one hell of a passionate speech which sent goose bumps all over.  We tend to be really mellow here in the northwest and this guy is always relaxed and calm but to see him all worked up over gay marriage was incredible. 

Next event is December 10, 2008 - http://daywithoutagay.org/

[J.R.E.]

Ed and I arrived in St. Petersburg about 12:30 on Saturday. We had lunch and then headed to the rally at Mirror lake. Several hundred showed up. My only complaint was the location of the rally. I t should have been held down by the waterfront. More people would have been able to view it, instead of the back street that it was held on. This rally was also in protest of Amendment 2 , this past election.

You can click on the link below, and there is a brief video clip of the events in St. Petersburg. A rally was also held in Tampa.

Click on the " St.petersburg Gay rights Rally

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/11/16/403736.html?title=Across+nation,+gay+advocates+protest+marriage+ban


Ray

[Andy Velez]

The demo, rally or whatever you want to call it was down at City Hall in NYC yesterday. Had a great time marshalling. Although there were many familiar suspects from ACT UP days involved, I was happy to see thousands of faces I didn't know. The mood was angry and jubilant. I'd estimate the crowd at about 10,000.

The Mormons did us a great favor by lighting a match in a huge gasoline can. In my experience it has never been easy to get big numbers out into the streets. To accomplish it nationwide as happened yesterday signals a huge shift. The momentum is on our side now and I believe we will ultimately achieve the prize this time -- it's about equality and the same rights for all. There's first class or no class as far as I am concerned.

Cheers.