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Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
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PALM SPRINGS: Prop 8 protests continue in CA |
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| PALM SPRINGS: Prop 8 protests continue in CA | ||
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by Barry Peterson -
Special to the SGN Equality California responded to the passage of Prop 8 with weekend protests across the state. In Palm Springs a group of approximately 500 gathered at City Hall on Friday night to protest what they consider an attack on their civil rights. The mostly peaceful gathering included local politicians and leaders as well as Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. The universal theme of the speakers was the need to continue this fight for our basic rights, and the need to get others to recognize this as a civil right, not a special right. In contrast many wondered where the civil rights movement of the 1960s would have lead had the choices been made by a vote of the people, rather by the wisdom of the courts and our elected representatives, and most could recall a time not so long ago when interracial marriage was not legally allowed. The African American clergy often refers to the immutable status of color when challenged regarding their Gay rights opposition. The argument being sexual orientation is a matter of choice, so one has to wonder, what is religion if not a matter of choice - can you imagine the outcry if, say, Mormons or Baptists were denied the right to marry, by a similar vote of people? The mostly peaceful protest turned angry for a brief moment when Phyllis Burgen, a Prop 8 supporter walked into the crowd carrying a cross. Protesters knocked the cross to the ground, and trampled it. Fortunately Burgen was not injured in the incident, however after being separated from the crowd by reporters, she said she had prayed over this issue, and was told to deliver a message of "love and fidelity." Following the gathering at city hall the group continued by car and on foot to the LDS church some two and one half miles away. The LDS church has been criticized for its strong support of Prop 8, that some believe violates its tax-exempt status. The group gathered at the church for a candlelight vigil culminating with a speech by Ginny Foat, Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem, and the extinguishing of the candles to symbolize the loss of civil rights by the GLBT communities. As a final gesture of their desire for marriage equality, the group continued down Palm Canyon Drive lead by Vincent Corrales carrying the rainbow flag. Vincent made the news earlier in the campaign by videotaping and alleged use of excessive force by the LAPD at a No on Prop 8 protest. There were no such issues in Palm Springs; the PSPD should be commended for their calm and balanced management of the protest and march. As this situation unfolds many questions remain to be answered: Is the same nation that just elected its first African American president willing to let the rights of a minority be decided by a vote of the majority? Will the marriages preformed prior to last Tuesday's election remain valid? According to California State Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., it's unlikely that the new law can be applied retroactively. And what about people who hold valid licenses to wed who haven't completed a ceremony, is the State bound to follow through on their contract with these individuals for the valid duration of their licenses? It appears that it may be sometime before this issue is resolved to most people's satisfaction. |
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