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05/26/2009
Protestors Block Traffic in SF Immediately After Prop 8 Ruling
Protestors blocked traffic near the Supreme Court in San Francisco immediately following the Proposition 8 ruling. Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 1:47 PM EST by Andy Towle in California, Gay Marriage, News, Proposition 8 | Permalink
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HELL YES! TIME TO MOBILIZE!
Posted by: Nick | May 26, 2009 1:54:49 PM
We should protest all over the country and abroad, well into the night.
Posted by: Derek | May 26, 2009 1:59:46 PM
Instead of rioting, I'd suggest we immediately push for things like 1) a ballot measure dramatically decreasing the pay of California Supreme Court justices (which would likely pass, as mob rule means that jealousy and vindictiveness usually wins, but, hey, that's what the justices apparently approve) and 2) a ballot initiative that requires that the Mormon's history of racism be taught in schools. There, you could likely get enough votes to get it on the ballot, and even though it might not pass, the Mormons would be forced to spend months publicly discussing something that would pretty much ruin their public relations for a long time to come.
The message would be simple: you come at us, we're gonna hit you where it hurts, and in a long-run, longtime consequences way, not just a riot.
I think the time for niceness is past, but we should be smart about how we're gonna make the bigots pay-- and keep paying-- if they want to keep trying to come after us or prevent us from having full civil rights.
Posted by: bobbyjoe | May 26, 2009 2:01:22 PM
Maybe they should be blocked from voting the next time the issue comes up, since they didn't think it was such a pressing issue the first time around...If I recall, there were fewer than 200,000 people who voted in SF county the day of the Prop 8 vote.
Posted by: Andalusian Dog | May 26, 2009 2:11:33 PM
Yes, by all means, let's block a little traffic in a county where 75% of the population voted against prop 8, and neighboring counties all voted against it as well. Maybe they should all jump in their cars and drive down to San Bernardino before hitting up Fresno on Saturday...no one down there likely even knows we're still mad.
I'm gonna focus my attention on making sure marriage equality goes through in Maine. California's fucked for now.
Posted by: Bruno | May 26, 2009 2:16:45 PM
@Andalusian Dog: At least San Francisco went 75% against prop 8. I think only Marin can even approach that number. The problem mainly isn't in San Francisco and environs, it's elsewhere in the state.
Posted by: Bruno | May 26, 2009 2:18:10 PM
Yes, becasue blocking traffic will do wonders for convincing San Franciscans to change their minds about Prop 8.
Posted by: DaveO | May 26, 2009 2:20:19 PM
I don't see stones being thrown, people!
Posted by: Attmay | May 26, 2009 2:21:48 PM
CA is gonna burn tonight.
Posted by: BradK | May 26, 2009 2:35:01 PM
There's always a whole bunch of reasons to sit home and not take a stand. Today, we're not buying any of those reasons.
Protest everywhere! Everywhere!
Posted by: leschuck | May 26, 2009 2:53:29 PM
The unfortunate reality is people dont really have what it takes to stage a meaningful protest today. If it conflicts with reruns of Desperate Housewives or meeting your friends for cocktails after work to discuss your next international flight to a vacation hotspot then it is just too inconvenient.
If you want to protest, you have to take a stand, not just for minutes but for days or weeks or however long it takes to gather the attention necessary to push forth changes in attitudes.
I don't see the gay community or any other community in this country wiling to commit to this kind of sacrifice. We are all too afraid if we stand up for something we will be fired, or lose our house or something of that nature. It is not the government that binds our hands behind our backs but our own desire to live a "nice" life. How free are we?
Posted by: Paul | May 26, 2009 3:02:34 PM
This has nothing to do with changing minds, so you can stop whining about that. This is about anger for being tyrannized by the majority. As that cute little saying goes, "never corner anything meaner than you". Well we're gunna see who's the meaner now. Gay Americans as a minority group in general and Gay Californians in particular have been cornered far too long. Do you have the balls to fight?
If you don't like the M.O. don't get involved. Stand on the side lines, wring your hands, pout, stamp your feet, cry a little it always looks touching. You say blocking traffic never does anything, doing nothing but talking never does anything. Yup you sure are a Gay Activist with all that talk. My My such courage, such bravery. No no, by all means stand on the side lines, it's safe there. No one can hurt you there.
Posted by: Sargon Bighorn | May 26, 2009 3:03:59 PM
Yes, no marriage certificates available. Yet, according to the decision, unanimous on this point, our unions must be officially recognized. And we remain a suspect class for all manner of discriminatory laws. For me, a fair balance -- we end up with a host of substantive rights, explicitly preserved, that were held to be part of the law of the land in In Re: Marriages. Make no mockery of the right to amend the constitution in California -- almost unfettered. Only one justice dissented on this point.
We can claim a victory here, contrary to what the media is spinning. We have rights, significant ones that encompass all the rights of marriage except the name. On that point, the justices were unanimous.
Posted by: Married in California | May 26, 2009 3:16:04 PM
@ BOBBY JOE: Your suggestion about a ballot initiative to have schools teach about racism in the Mormon Church is *brilliant*!!!!
Posted by: peterparker | May 26, 2009 3:18:10 PM
The whole argument about same-sex marriage is based on the US Supreme Court ruling that stated that Homosexuality in itself was not prohibited in the constitution. The Supreme Court never said that States couldn't regulate morality (as laws against child porn have been upheld). Mob Rule in a democracy is just the way it is. The courts have been the ones to allow same-sex marriage in all but one instance. Those states are trumped by the federal protection of marriage statute. The Feds have chosen not to enforce it. With the 3/4+ majority of states already passing as "marriage as 1 man -1 woman" a good argument could be state that a constitutional amendment has already been approved. That would settle this issue completely
Posted by: BigUN | May 26, 2009 3:24:47 PM
First off, Bigun, your statement that "[t]he courts have been the ones to allow same-sex marriage in all but one instance" is false--VT AND ME makes two, with NH in limbo as well. Secondly, the U.S. is NOT a democracy--something the Founders so greatly feared--it is a federal republic. And while it could be argued that CA has entered the realm of nearly pure democracy, the U.S. Constitution as a whole is still designed to prevent the "mischief of Faction" wherever it occurs. Never forget that the Constitution is ultimately on our side as we struggle forward!
Posted by: Joey R. | May 26, 2009 3:44:55 PM
Protest, protest, protest. The Suffragettes are remembered for their direct actions - in 1898 when they were formed by Emmeline Pankhurst, it looked unlikely that women would ever be able to vote. But she got her way. Today's decision will only strengthen and ultimately empower the gay rights movement
Posted by: Lubin Odana | May 26, 2009 3:46:38 PM
Please - stop blaming the Mormons, for crying out loud. More blacks voted yes on prop 8, and plenty of analysis has already been done on this. Protest at street corners in your own neighborhoods. Encourage your friends and family to vote their conscienceness. But volence and damage to personal property will not resolve anything, and will further separate those from whom you desire increased tolerance from.
Posted by: bobSmith | May 26, 2009 3:56:34 PM
JOEY R.
You are delusional. You sound like a Republican that spouts "America- Love it or leave it" UNTIL a black man is elected president. Then they want to succeed from the union. Yes, You swear a alliance to "and to the Republic to which it stands". That republic is ruled by whatever majority can be cobbled together. Purely semantics. As of now- 46 states have passed state resolutions defining marriage as "1 man-1woman" . That easily qualifies "1 man-1woman" as an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The far right I image has chosen not to outlaw homosexuality on a national level for political reasons. Gays make good "pinatas". Feel some solace in that you are not alone. At least you are joined with the Fundementalist Mormon Church opposing "1 man-1woman".
Posted by: BIGUN | May 26, 2009 4:42:48 PM
Yay, we blocked traffic for half an hour. I guess we won now!
Pathetic. You people in California need to stage a REAL protest. I'm talking Stonewall times three. Permanent inconveniences, not this bullshit.
Posted by: John F. | May 26, 2009 4:45:05 PM
No, the Mormons are largely to blame. And while I won't go so far as to advocate violence, severe property damage is definitely called for.
Posted by: John F. | May 26, 2009 4:46:33 PM
No, the Mormons are largely to blame. And while I won't go so far as to advocate violence, severe property damage is definitely called for.
Posted by: John F. | May 26, 2009 4:46:33 PM
Moron, severe property damage is classified as violence.
Posted by: Alice | May 26, 2009 4:57:42 PM
Please - stop blaming the Mormons, for crying out loud. More blacks voted yes on prop 8, and plenty of analysis has already been done on this. Protest at street corners in your own neighborhoods. Encourage your friends and family to vote their conscienceness. But volence and damage to personal property will not resolve anything, and will further separate those from whom you desire increased tolerance from.
Posted by: bobSmith | May 26, 2009 3:56:34 PM
It's considered politically correct to bash/protest religion.
It's a felony to bash/protest against blacks.
California will NEVER admit who really helped defeat their cause.
A bunch of whiney asses.
Posted by: Mike | May 26, 2009 5:02:32 PM
Ultimately the state amendments will corrode in the face of equal rights being enforced, increased media attention, inequities between states (ie: will we have another North vs. South mentality on par w/ segregation of the 60's ---> gays living in certain states and persecuted in others?)
I truly believe in another 30 years those who spout discriminating statements now will have to bury them in shame. After all, who's grandparents admit to racism? Back in the 60's, the racist majority (mob rule!) faltered under major international and political pressure. The same will happen once the heat turns up- whether it be massive protest, media spotlighting the major injustice in application of the law in gay partnerships, etc. People will come around but the struggle must continue to rise...
Posted by: Kangrrl | May 26, 2009 5:08:07 PM
Bigun,
You call it semantics that a constitutional amendment must be passed by 2/3 of each body of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of the states? That the Supreme Court has justices given life terms and who are therefore not answerable to the people, thus allowing them to issue such decisions as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka and Lawrence v. Texas (the reason you can participate in "sodomitical acts" and not be arrested for them) without fear of reprisal? If you do, you might want to take out a copy of your (yes--YOUR) Constitution and read it again. You might be surprised to learn that the document ultimately vindicates those fighting for civil rights. Perhaps then you would "[f]eel some solace in [knowing] that you are not alone." (Oh, and before you make claims comparing a host of state constitutional amendments to a national one, you might want to read up on the idea of the supremacy of the national government. Just a thought.)
Posted by: Joey R. | May 26, 2009 5:56:46 PM