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Central Valley | LGBTI / QueerReligious Right Takes Over City Hall
The religious right took over Fresno City Hall, threatening anyone who did not agree with their dogma with arrest if they stepped foot on “their” property. Activists, pictured below, protested the event.  550_city_hall.jpgfvfloh.jpg
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Religious Right Takes Over City Hall Thousands of members of the religious right took over Fresno City Hall yesterday afternoon. Using their own security, which was backed up by the Fresno Police Department, organizers of the event threatened to arrest anyone that they did not approve. One man with a sign that said "Religious Zealots are Not Christians" was prevented from even stepping on the sidewalk in front of City Hall. Does anyone know where the ACLU can be found? The mayor of Fresno and Cornerstone Church rented City Hall to hold a "celebration of traditional marriage." The event drew an estimated 2,000 people and 250 protestors. The protestors were kept on the other side of P street. Dividing the religious right at City Hall and the protestors were police on foot, motorcycle, horse, and patrol car. The protestors were vocal but non-violent. There was a broad cross section of the community at the protest rally representing a mix of LGBTI, peace and social justice groups. There were no arrests or civil disobedience at the event. The position the police took at this event is in stark contrast to the response to a Peace Fresno anti war rally held at Courthouse Park a few months ago. At that event a counter demonstrator from the Free Republic was at the event arguing with participants. When he was asked to leave by one of the event organizers, he refused. Peace Fresno called the sheriff’s department to have the disruptive person removed from the rally, which they (Peace Fresno) had a permit for. When the police arrived, they arrested Ken Hudson who is the secretary of Peace Fresno. The Free Republic member did not leave and was later seen laughing, shaking hands, and having a friendly talk with the sheriffs. That story can be seen at: http://sfbay.indymedia.org/news/2004/03/1674284.php There was also an inclusive renewal of vows event held in Fresno yesterday. This event was for everyone and held at Wesley Methodist Church. Pictures from that event are here: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cpfr/RenewalVows.htm Background information about the protest at City Hall can be found here:
Fresno Mayor Alan Autry divides the community
 550_city_hall_autry.jpg All photos by Mike Rhodes
Rev. Jim Franklin
 550_city_hall_franklin.jpg Rev Jim Franklin from the Cornerstone Church organized the event with mayor Autry
Protestors lined P street in protest of intolerance
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What is the number of the ACLU?
 550_city_hall_2.jpg This man was threatened with arrest if he stepped onto the sidewalk in front of City Hall
What kind of a mayor makes dividing a community a priority?
 550_city_hall_3.jpg
Let my moms marry
 550_city_hall_4.jpg
Marriage recognizes our common humanity
 550_city_hall_5.jpg
Crowd shot
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Crowd shot 2
 550_city_hall_7.jpg Comments (Hide Comments)Vote the Bigots out!!!!
Monday Aug 30th, 2004 10:48 AM
Any good pictures of the city, county, or state representatives who attended the Traditional side.. in the tax payers owned City Hall.
** ** Just want to make sure we vote them out of office, whether it is this November or the next election. ** was Jerry Duncan, or KMJ there? ** ** What a poor, misguided person Bubba is. Nice turn out of Protesters.. great signs. I'll make sure to share with my friends all over the country.. and make sure that others know what it is like for a community when fundamentalist or so called conservatives are in office. * They must be too dumb to read the constitution or the New Testament. they are a disgrace to this country and to those who follow in Jesus's teachings. Good Job, Queer Fresno!
Monday Aug 30th, 2004 11:50 AM
It's great to see so many people showed up to protest official bigotry and discrimination.
SF sends our support and our love--keep fighting the good fight! Rev. Jim Franklin speaks
Monday Aug 30th, 2004 12:58 PM
Rev. Jim Franklin speaks out on the steps of Fresno City Hall. Video by Simone Whalen-Rhodes
Mr.
Tuesday Aug 31st, 2004 2:05 PM
Look at that picture. men on the right, women on the left, and that can't even figure out that they DO have the right to marry???
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