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VIDEO: Thousands Turn Out for Los Angeles and Statewide Decision Day Protests

Thousands turned out yesterday all across California in protest against the California Supreme Court ruling to uphold Proposition 8. Police are reporting that 162 arrests were made during yesterday's protests.

Turnout numbers are mixed for statewide protesters, even here in Los Angeles where numbers range from 1,000 to 5,000. LAPD, who usually underestimates crowd numbers, initially told the organizers of the Day of Decision rally that there were 12,000 to 14,000.

In Los Angeles, the day kicked off strong with a protest and civil disobedience in East Los Angeles.

In Leimert Park, nearly 1,000 clergy members and gay couples gathered at the Lucy Florence Coffee Shop in the heart of Los Angeles’ black community.

The protests spread to Westwood near Santa Monica where students blocked major intersections and refused to leave. Some were arrested.

The student protest grew to nearly 1,000 people reports say and marched up Santa Monica Blvd., past the Mormon temple and joined up with the large Los Angeles Decision Day rally just as it started in West Hollywood.

The rally kicked off with speakers ranging from comedian Kathy Griffin, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Councilman Rosendthal, West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, Robin Tyler and Gloria Allred and Lt. Dan Choi, with Perez Hilton, Shanna Moakler and Drew Barrymore showing up for the march.

The long march, beginning in West Hollywood, passed the Matthew Shepard Memorial where pictures of hate crime victims were displayed. People laid white flowers on the ground in honor of them.

The march rallied at Hollywood and Highland, the heart of Hollywood, where thousands of people took chalk and drew their protests on the streets. The concrete was covered in graffiti depicting hurt, anger and hope for a better future. It was amazing to see - a striking visual that will stay on the streets until it washes off. (See slide show below)

Yesterday at the Los Angeles rally, we provided a live stream broadcast, but due to an overwhelming use of the application Qik throughout the state, it kept stalling. However, it was still able to record. Here are some of our videos (please forgive the sound - it was really loud, causing some of it to cut in and out, and the rally's sound system went down at times). Click on the Qik logo to see more.

Perez Hilton and former Miss California USA executive director Shanna Moakler.



Robin Tyler speaks at the rally.



Short clip of the march:



Unite the Fight slide show:

Different coverage of yesterday's statewide protests and responses to ruling. This list will keep growing.

Los Angeles Times
"California high court upholds Prop. 8"
"Cheers, anger and tears in response to decision on gay marriage."
"California's gay marriage ruling signals next step for both sides."
"California court's contradictory Prop. 8 decision."
Interactive map depicting marriage equality chronology.
"Q&A: Answering your questions about the Prop. 8 decision."

CNN
"What's next for the same-sex marriage debate?"
"California high court upholds same-sex marriage ban."
VIDEO: Lt. Dan Choi-Anderson Cooper Interview CNN.

Time
"After Prop. 8, Gay-Marriage Proponents Plot Next Step."

SF Gate
"Prop. 8 stands; more ballot battles ahead."

UTF VIDEO: Lt. Dan Choi Speaks at East LA Day of Decision Protest

Lt. Dan Choi, an Arabic linguist kicked out of the armed services under Don't As Don't Tell and founder of Knights Out, spoke movingly at East Los Angeles' Decision Day protest in front of the registrar's office where marriage licenses are given, hours after the Supreme Court rules to uphold Prop 8.



Others who spoke include Gloria Allred, Robin Tyler, Rick Jacobs of Courage Campaign, Roland Palencia and Lisa Powell of Camp Courage.

During the protest, several same-sex couples entered the registrar's office and asked for marriage licenses. When declined, they refused to leave.

Nothing like good ol' fashion civil disobedience.

UNITE THE FIGHT LIVE FEED OF LOS ANGELES DAY OF DECISION RALLY 7PM PST

UPDATE: Click on the "Qik" logo to see options for other videos from our live broadcast!

Right now the screen says, "This channel has no videos yet." This will disappear when feed begins approximately at 7pm PST. Be sure to refresh your screen periodically if it does not.

This feed is done through Qik, an application allowing us to provide a live feed through our iPhones, so bear with us if it's a bit shaky at times.

Go to Unite the Fight Qik Channel to view older feeds recorded live from today's rally if you've joined us after 7pm. These older videos are also played here automatically until a new live feed activates again by us.

You can also follow along with us at Twitter!

On Saturday, May 30th, we'll also have a live broadcast of Meet in the Middle. We will have a full internet connection, camera and crew for a quality broadcast. Stay tuned!

VIDEO: Nearly 150 Protesters Face Arrest in San Francisco

From the Advocate:

Roughly 150 people blocking the intersection of Grove and Van Ness in San Francisco were asked by police to move or face arrest for civil disobedience. The group has not dispersed and awaits intervention from police who have descended on the scene.

BREAKING NEWS: Prop 8 Upheld - Marriage Equality Fails in California

UPDATED AT 10:45 AM PST.

In a horrifying yet expected move, the California Supreme Court ruled today 6-1 that Proposition 8 was valid and not to be thrown out, effectively keeping the ban on same-sex marriage in place.

Voted into law by a slim majority of state residents this past November, the court disagreed with the challenges to the initiative, stating that it was in fact an amendment and not a revision to the constitution, therefore not needing two-thirds majority approval of state congress.

However, the thin silver lining in the disappointing ruling is that the 18,000 marriages that took place during the short interim in which same-sex marriage was legal will remain valid because the court ruled against Prop 8 having retroactive power. This does leave the couples in a legal no-man's land

But this is far from over. The consensus from the California LGBT population is to submit a 2010 initiative to repeal the discriminatory Prop 8. Announcements on the next campaign from grassroots groups, who have polled their members for input on the next campaign, and large lobbying organizations working together, are expected in the next few days, possibly at the Day of Decision rallies tonight or at Meet in the Middle this Saturday in Fresno, CA.

CA Supreme Court Ruling on Prop 8 May 2009

Publish at Scribd or explore others: california samesex marriage

WHAT NOW? UPSET? WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

Find out when and where the protests are taking place in you area at DayofDecision.com.

For those in Los Angeles, go to DecisionDay.org. And in the next couple hours, civil disobedience will take place in East LA. Go now! See flyer below.

If you can't go, you can find out what happens by following Unite the Fight on Twitter or watch our live video blogging of the rally here on the site.




Read the court's original May 2008 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

Stay tune for updates on this Saturday's massive statewide rally, Meet in the Middle 4 Equality.

90 Cities to Participate in Day of Decision Tomorrow to Mark Prop 8 Ruling

Tomorrow is the big day we've all been waiting for since the dreaded Prop 8 passed and stripped away our rights.

Tomorrow the California Supreme Court will rule whether or not to throw out Prop 8. The ruling is expected to come down tomorrow at 10am PST.

Either way, over 90 cities across the continent will respond in celebration or protest.

Here are the possible outcomes.

We will protest if:

The court upholds Prop 8, and invalidates the 18,000 same-sex marriage licenses that California already issued.

-or-

The court upholds Prop 8, but upholds the 18,000 same-sex marriages already performed, which would be a cruel, but pyrrhic victory for equality.

We will celebrate if:

The court rejects Proposition 8 and says that same-sex couples are entitled to the marriage rights that heterosexual couples already have.

Where will you be tomorrow? Will you join in the historic response?

Go to DayofDecision.com to see which cities have events that you can go to.

To fully prepare for tomorrow, go to Unite the Fight's step-by-step instructions on the when, the where and the how.

Follow Unite the Fight on Twitter for updates during the Los Angeles rally.

DECISION DAY FOR PROP 8 IS TUESDAY, MAY 26TH!

UPDATE: CA Supreme Court to rule on Prop 8 Tuesday, May 26th.

Thursday, May 21
Tuesday, May 26
Thursday, May 28
Monday, June 1


ARE YOU PREPARED TO GO TO THE STREETS?

To find out about rallies in your area, go to DayofDecision.com.

For Los Angeles, go to DecisionDay.org.

Don't forget, the Saturday after Day of Decision go to Meet in the Middle 4 Equality, a massive statewide rally in Fresno, CA, the heart of Yes on 8 territory!

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Read old information

Please notice that Decision Day can now be on a TUESDAY because the Supreme Court will be closed on Memorial Day Monday.

All California courts will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. So the filing of any opinion by the California Supreme Court that would normally occur on this day will shift to TUESDAY, May 26 at 10:00 a.m.

If it happens on that TUESDAY, the Notice of Intended Filing, declaring the court's intention to rule, will be posted on the California Court site by Friday, May 22, 2009. (You can also watch the actual ruling come down LIVE on this site.)

You can be notified directly to you cell phone Day of Decision is declared. How? Text "DECISION" to 27336 for mobile alerts on the Prop 8 case. Send back your zip code to find out where to go locally on Day of Decision.

Day of Decision - Are You Prepared to Respond to the Fate of Prop 8?

The tension behind how the CA Supreme Court will rule on Prop 8 is close to being overshadowed by when they will rule, if not more so. Whichever way they do rule, for or against us, we need to be prepared to respond.

The court only has until June 3rd to issue the ruling.

That's not very far away.

Lots of planning has been in the works since a national call for civil disobedience was issued for the day of the ruling. That is, if they rule against us. If the rule for us, the events will still take place, but in celebration and rallying.

But do you know when and where you need to be the day the decision comes down? Let me try and help.

Many actions and events are scheduled for the day of the ruling. Find out where by going to Day of Decision, scroll down and click on your state and city.

You can also go to the national Day of Decision Facebook Group Page.

(For you LA residents, check out DecisionDay.org and the Facebook Los Angeles Day of Decision page. Look into what's happening in East LA too.)

For people of faith, numerous services will be held on the Day of Decision. Be sure to check out the Day of Decision website and look in your area to see where they are being held.

To even further assist people of faith on Decision Day, California Faith For Equality has issued a Day of Decision Resource Kit (PDF) in anticipation of the ruling. The goal of this kit is to provide materials to faith leaders in order to minister to the LGBT community and its supporters, regardless of the Court's ruling. This important resource enables people of faith to alert Californians and the rest of the country that there is plenty of faith-based support for the freedom to marry.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE.

The CA Supreme Court will give only 24 hours notice before the ruling. The following day, you'll be able to watch live on the Supreme Court website as they announce their decision. The moment they hand it down, you better book it, because these Day of Decision events will spring into action at lightning speed.

You'll want to know where you should be well beforehand.

The Saturday AFTER the ruling comes down, win or lose, everyone from all over the state will come together in solidarity in Fresno, CA, in the heart of Yes on 8 territory. Go to Meet in the Middle for more information.

Oh, and watch the video at the top of the blog.

NY Times Says CA Supreme Court May Rule This Week on Prop 8

From NY Times:

In California, where the State Supreme Court may rule this week on whether a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional, gay-rights advocates are optimistic even though many expect the ruling to uphold the ban.

I've been hearing the same thing within legal circles here in Los Angeles; however, state-wide law enforcement thinks otherwise due to the fact that many of them will be away at a convention up north in Sacramento. This will cause a decrease in available police officers to manage the protests or celebration rallies, and such events require a large force.

Either way, the court must rule by June 3rd, so the decision is coming soon.

Are you ready?

Find out what is happening in your area at Day of Decision. Click on the tag "Day of Decision" at the bottom of the post to find out more.

The Saturday following Day of Decision, massive numbers from all over the state will be converging on Fresno, CA, the heart of Yes on 8 territory for Meet in the Middle 4 Equality. Go the website and RSVP to make travel and accommodation plans.

Let's show our numbers!

Stand Up for Marriage Equality in East Los Angeles on Day of Decision

East Los Angeles Rally For Marriage Equality on Day of Decision!

WHEN: 12:00PM - 3:00PM. On the day the California Supreme Court rules on the validity of Prop 8.


WHERE: East Los Angeles Marriage License Office
4716 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022 (MAP)

Organized by the Latino Equality Alliance.

For more information please visit us on My Space and Facebook.


EVENING EVENT
West Hollywood/Hollywood Rally and March
7:00pm Santa Monica Blvd and San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA (MAP)
or join the march around 9:30pm - Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA (MAP)
Take Metro.

Check Out UTF's Top 15 Posts for April

The top posts are calculated by how many unique views each received.

1. WhiteHouse.gov Erases 6 of 8 Promises to LGBT Community
2. GLBT Executions in Iraq Have Begun
3. The Tension Behind Bay Area Reporter's Story on Grassroots Growing Pains
4. New Hampshire Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill 13-11!
5. Gay Iraqis Tortured, Killed Using Superglue to Close Anus
6. Maine Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill 20-15
7. Pictures of Saturday's Martin Luther King Remembrance March
8. Unite the Fight's Camp Courage Op-Ed
9. Don't Watch This Ad by NOM if You Don't Want to Get Angry
10. LGBT Rights Activists Demand an End to "Hyatt Hypocrisy"
11. More Attempts to Undermine Iowa Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Fails
12. VIDEO: Go to Meet in the Middle 4 Equality!
13. Miss California USA to Do New Ad for "Gathering Storm" Producers
14. Need a Ride to "Meet in the Middle"? A Place to Stay?
15. 400 Gather at Iowa Capitol to Protest Same-Sex Marriage

Wow. Busy month. Historical times for marriage equality. Can't wait to see what May will bring.

What to look out for:

• Maine's House of Representatives to vote on marriage equality the week of May 3rd.
  
• New Hampshire's House of Reps. to vote on Senate amended marriage equality bill (should pass).
• NH Gov. Lynch may or may not sign the marriage equality bill. Will he overcome NOM's constant pressure? Or listen to a majority of New Hampshire voters and their support for marriage equality?
• California's Supreme Court ruling on the validity of Proposition 8 (expected to come soon).
• Day of Decision events all across the nation in response to the CA Supreme Court ruling
• Massive event, Meet in the Middle 4 Equality, brings all corners of California together that following Saturday to rally or celebrate the ruling. See video.
• New York legislators vote on marriage equality bill.

For background information on the subjects above, click on the tags at the bottom of this post.

Keep posted for updates and news!

Activists Call For Immediate National Response to Forthcoming CA Supreme Court Decision

Recognizing that win or lose, the LGBTQ community must have an immediate response to the forthcoming California Supreme Court decision on whether or not to uphold Proposition 8, veteran activists Robin Tyler and Andy Thayer have called for "Day of Decision" actions the night that the court releases its decision. Volunteers for the effort are being coordinated through the new website, www.DayofDecision.org.

The court is required by law to announce its decision no later than 90 days after the March 5th oral arguments (June 3), but could do so much sooner. One day before the decision is announced, the court will inform us that the decision will come the next day. The evening that the decision is released, DayOfDecision actions to either protest a bad decision or celebrate a good decision will take place.

"We know that win or lose, our community will respond that night. The purpose of beginning to organize these Day of Decision actions right now is to make these actions as powerful as possible," said veteran LGBT activist Robin Tyler, who is one of the plaintiffs in the original suit to win equal marriage rights in California and a petitioner in the case to overturn Proposition 8. "Sitting in the CA Supreme Court hearing last week, we walked out feeling that the court would uphold Proposition 8."

"By organizing now, we are also sending a message to the Court that people are watching what they do, and that if it's a bad decision, our community will not go softly into the night. We will react with a justified anger at one of the worst, and most cowardly court decisions of our era," said Andy Thayer, co-founder of Chicago's Gay Liberation Network. "If we win, these actions will be celebrations, and an attempt to push the momentum of a California victory to other states and regions."
More...

"A decision which upholds Prop 8's ban on future same-sex marriages, but allows those already performed to stand, will not be considered a victory," said Tyler, whose marriage to Diane Olson would be upheld in such a scenario. "As a community, we can only advance as one. Picking off one part of our community for special treatment while disregarding the rights of the rest is completely unacceptable."

Tyler and Thayer initiated successful Day of Decision actions in 50 cities around the country following the 2003 U.S. Supreme CourtLawrence v. Texas decision which junked the anti-gay sodomy laws that were used to justify legal inequality in a broad range of areas. They also were two of the principal organizers of the successful StopDrLaura campaign which stopped hate radio hostess Dr. Laura Schlessinger's daily, national one-hour television program.

People who want to organize Day of Decision actions in their city around the forthcoming California Supreme Court decision are encouraged to go to www.DayofDecision.org to volunteer. If you are already organizing, please sign on so we can refer people in your area to what you are doing. "D-Day" (Day of Decision) can happen anytime and we must be ready now.

Look for other events to occur in the following days after D-Day, such as Meet In the Middle 4 Equality. View the calendar at the bottom of the blog for more events.