The Gays Throw A Great, No-H8 Rally
Yesterday was the National day for City Hall “No on Proposition 8″ rallys, and downtown Los Angeles had a well-attended, and well-organized rally (in all fairness, attended by many straight folks too). On my 8am White Dog walk around City Hall, the steps were already full of protestors, and there were 2 stages set-up and undergoing sound checks. I could tell this was going to be a good event- there was a certain positive energy in the air. There were speeches from 10am - 12noon (I was at home w/ my house cleaner, keeping White Dog occupied, but I had the windows open and could hear the enthusiasm of the crowd).
Then the march started- down Spring St to 4th St., over to Main St. and back to City Hall. I was amazed at the non-stop procession of participants, then later I learned that the march went at least twice around the parade-route, so that expains the half-hour+ procession that I witnessed. I had a noon haircut appointment and had to “cut through” the march to get to Little Tokyo, and everyone was having a good time and there were no visible counter protestors. The only negative things I can say is that it’s too bad that this did not happen BEFORE the vote, to show the strong support for No on 8, and that the march ended up at “The Cornfield” in Chinatown, where the visibility of the protestors was diminished substantially (it should have ended at Pershing Square or South Park).
I really hope this event helps the overturn of the Proposition- there are so many politicians and public leaders on the side of “Equal Rights” that I don’t think the gay community will have to wait 2 years to have another vote.
Hi,
I was at the rally/protest/march. It was a peaceful demonstration calling attention to the passing of H8. Prisoners on death row, and other convicted straight prisoners are allowed to marry. In many states they are allowed to marry. But we are not. Because of the fires there was almost no coverage of the fires. Yours is the first film that I have seen of it. Sadly I felt a little like I was playing the fiddle while Rome burned. However the march had been in the planning for a while. Even if it was not on TV it was nice to see so many of my GLBTQ brothers and sisters and straights. It is nice having a straight man support us in his blog without mentioning that he is not gay. I am a friend of Joe Cornishes’. I have a two year old Border Collie, Sarah. With Sarah, I helped Joe move up to Eureke.
One Nation–One Drinking Fountain
Thank you for the post,
November 18th, 2008 at 9:28 pmDon Durkee
Thanks for the kind words Don- and yes, it was a well-behaved protest as far as I saw. Unfortunately, it seems that TV only wants to show the bad side of everything. If this protest had gotten ugly and people started blocking the streets, etc. I’m sure it would have been covered.
As a side-note, I spoke with a downtown LAPD officer and he said that there was not a permit for the March part (nor was there one when the Pershing Square protest took to the streets and marched). It’s good that the LAPD did not make a big deal and just tried to keep the marchers safe. LAPD comes through again!
November 19th, 2008 at 5:09 amNote to Preparation H, er, I mean, Proposition 8 protesters:
We the LAPD are here to keep everyone safe. We are on YOUR side. Please do not make it harder for us. Move when we say to move and just follow the rules so we can ALL have a good time.
Oh, we also don’t appreciate it when you “vogue” on top of our police cars.
That may be hazardous to your health and welfare.
Cheers,
CDC
November 19th, 2008 at 11:00 am