Mon Mar 16 2009 (Updated 04/03/09)
March to Sacramento to Overturn Prop 8 and Preparations for Action at Court Decision
LGBTQ people and allies eagerly await the California Supreme Court decision that will either reject or affirm anti-gay Proposition 8. Marriage equality activists say that if the court rules to only uphold the existing same sex marriages, but allows the rest of Prop 8 to stand, it will not be a victory. Many are calling for a return to the streets with direct action and civil disobedience if discrimination is written back into the California Constitution. The California Supreme Court must rule within 90 days of March 5, 2009, when they heard the case, meaning a decision is expected at the latest by June 3.
In anticipation of an earlier decision, lesbian/gay/bi/trans activists and allies left Berkeley, California for a 100-mile walk to the state capitol in Sacramento on March 25. The event began with a rally on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall at Noon on March 24 with speakers, including a representative from Supervisor Tom Ammiano's office and gay rights activist Cleve Jones. The day's event included inspirational music and dancing by the Raging Grannies and Brass Liberation Orchestra on the steps of the California Supreme Court buidling.
Marchers began their trek in earnest on March 25 building bridges with local communities and enlisting former antagonists to help repeal the ban on same-sex marriages. The march was initiated by the direct action group One Struggle One Fight, and supported by a range of organizations including the LGBT labor alliance Pride At Work and the group And Marriage For All, which coordinated No On 8 outreach among LGBT people of color.
More than 50 people from 10 cities and towns signed up to participate in the peaceful event, including 78-year-old Dolores Huerta, the co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, and Robert Moore, a 28-year-old gay Mormon who encouraged everyone interested in civil rights to join the cause. The group walked through both large and small cities on the way to the capital, entering bustling suburbs like Walnut Creek and small Delta towns such as Locke. The march culminated in a day of action in Sacramento on Monday, March 30, to demand the repeal of Proposition 8 and spotlight the need for better health care and immigration rights for all people.
March to Sacramento Arrives in Capitol | Why We March | Prop 8 D-Day Call to Action | One Struggle One Fight | Day of Decision | Pride At Work
