VIDEO: NYC Protest Against Iraqi Executions of Gay Men

Unite the Fight reported earlier on the executions of gay men in Iraq and the vigils and protests that were planned in response.

This past Friday, New York City had its demonstration. Here is the video:



London plans on having their demonstration later this week.

Vigil for Executed Iraqi Gay Men

United the Fight earlier reported on the persecution of gays in Iraq. Unfortunately, six gay men were recently executed in the US-occupied country solely because of their sexual orientation.

San Francisco Gays Protest 6 Gay Iraqi Murders, April 6 2009
by GWB-

Two vigils are being held in remembrance of the persecuted LGBT Iraqi community - one in New York City, and one in London.

NEW YORK CITY

What: Vigil of Remembrance & Solidarity With LGBT Iraqis
When: Friday, April 10, 12pm EST
Where: Iraq Mission to the UN
14 E 79th St
New York, NY 10075
Contact: Brendan Fay
E: brendan@stpatsforall.com
P: 718-721-2780

They will gather later this week to remember our murdered brothers in Iraq, at a vigil in front of the Iraqi mission to the United Nations. They will light candles, lay a wreathe with rainbow ribbons, and also speak out against homophobic violence everywhere. A letter of protest will be delivered to the mission.

For London information, go to Gays Without Borders.

There has been criticism against the LGBT leaders, and even the community itself, for its apparent apathy for the plight of the LGBT community in Iraq. Show your support. If you can, go to the vigil. If not, sign Change.org's petition to the President and Congress urging them to act on this crisis.

ACTION: Vigils Planned in Support of Vermont's Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Vermont is on fire!

With their governor's veto threat of a state same-sex marriage bill that's already been passed by the senate and making headway through the House, the LGBT community and allies intend to hold rallies and vigils over the weekend.

Organizing the vigils, Vermont Freedom to Marry's website states, "It is absolutely critical that we have a strong showing of support at every one [of the vigils]."

Go here for a full list of all the events and information.

There's even more you can do. The organization has also constructed a list of action points. Check it out! (It's located in the left sidebar)

Today's rally at the statehouse was a success with over 300 people showing up. Here's video of the rally and press conference:



On top of all this event and action planning, Vermont Freedom to Marry has also released a new ad, urging citizens to contact the governor and tell him not to veto the bill.

Eve of Justice Coverage

Unite the Fight slide show:

A beautiful event at El Pueblo, Eve of Justice in Los Angeles unified an already strong community with a message that no matter how the Supreme Court rules on Prop 8, no one can take our commitment to our loved one away. Committed to showing solidarity, the weather did not keep the hundreds of attendees away - in fact, the rain just made it more beautiful. No matter what elements are against us, no one can take our light away, as was explicitly shown when the crowd was led in unison to the classic song, "This Little Light of Mine."

Many spoke at the event, including Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign, Attorney Jenny Pizer with Lambda Legal, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who performed the recommitment ceremonies, and Father Geoff Farrow with a musical performance from Mandy Steckelberg. Videos "Fidelity" from Courage Campaign, relationship stories from 13LoveStories.com and the "Permission" video from ThinkMTV aired.

The rain miraculously stopped just in time for the peaceful march led by a Korean drum band to the Los Angeles Ronald Reagan State Building which houses the Supreme Court when in the city. Upon reaching the building, the event and march ended with a moving speech from Rabbi Denise L. Eger of Congregation Kol Ami.

Orange County Register:



FOX LA Video:




KCAL video here.

LA Times article.

CNN article.

CNN San Diego Video:



NBC San Diego Video:



CBS San Francisco video coverage.

FOX San Francisco video coverage.

Eve of Justice Press Release

“EVE OF JUSTICE”: HUNDREDS RALLY AGAINST PROP 8 ON EVE OF SUPREME

COURT HEARING
& MARCH ON CA SUPREME COURT BLDG

WHAT: Hundreds of LGBT activists and their allies come together at El Pueblo, the historic birthplace of the City of Los Angeles, to rally on the eve of a landmark supreme court hearing on Proposition 8, the measure which stripped away from gay and lesbian Californians the fundamental right to marry in our state and put the equal protection of all minorities in peril.

Special guests include Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAMBDA Legal representative Jenny Pizer, Latino HIV/AIDS Activist Richard Zaldivar, Father Geoff Farrow, Rabbi Allen Freehling, Rabbi Denise Eger, Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas, & Ugly Betty's Alec Mapa.

Event will contain a legal update from LAMBDA Legal, video sequences, musical performances, speeches, a recommitment ceremony between a few of the previously married 18,000 couples, and a candle-lighting ceremony. The event will end with a candle-lit march through downtown
to the Reagan Courthouse Building where a rally will ensue.

The event is organized by Marriage Equality USA, Amnesty International, API Equality, California Faith for Equality, Christopher Street West / LA Pride, COLAGE, Courage Campaign, EQCA, Equality Network, Equal Roots Coalition, FAIR, Gays UN, GLAAD, GSA Network, Honor PAC, Human Rights Campaign, Join the Impact, Jordan Rustin Coalition, Love Honor Cherish, MCCLA, PFLAG, Postcards to the President, Progressive Jewish Alliance, Roots of Equality, Somos Familia, Unite the Fight, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry CA, & White Knot.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
STAGE EVENT: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
MARCH TO CA SUPREME COURT BLDG: 8:00PM – 8:30PM
RALLY AT COURT BLDG: 8:30PM

WHERE: BEGINS AT:
El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park
845 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

ENDS:
Ronald Reagan Building
300 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

ONLY 15% CHANCE OF RAIN TONIGHT

EVENT REMINDER: March 4th, Eve of Justice

Across the nation, LGBT rights advocates and allies are gearing up for Eve of Justice on March 4th, the evening before the CA Supreme Court hears oral arguments against Prop 8.

Los Angeles info:

March Forth PC

Publish at Scribd or explore others: event marriage equality

AT THE EVENT:

- Jenny Pizer of Lambda Legal who will give an update on the case before flying to San Francisco to argue before the Supreme Court in the morning.
- A recommitment ceremony officiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. All married couples and couples wanting to get married are welcome to join in. This includes same sex and opposite sex couples.
- Musical entertainment by Tony Sweet, Nita Whittaker and Mandy Steckelberg.
- A Candlelight pledge to promote love, tolerance and equality in the future and the promise we will not stop until we our work is finished.

The event will finish with a candlelight march to the Supreme Court building.

Without support from the community, this even would not be possible. Please help cover the costs by donating.

Join the Facebook event page for Los Angeles and the National Page!

Already the Yes on 8 people are sending out the word to mobilize at the event. Let your voices by heard!

For information in your area, visit EveofJustice.com.



On March 5th, go to a live viewing of the oral arguments in downtown LA or Lambda Legal's viewing (see calendar at the bottom of the blog for information).

UPDATE EVENT: Eve of Justice - Lighting the Way for the Supreme Court

UPDATE: Marriage Equality Press Release:

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA ANNOUNCES MARCH 4TH CANDLELIGHT VIGILS TO REPEAL PROP 8 AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MARCH 5TH JUMBOTRON VIEWING JUST OUTSIDE THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT

San Francisco, California: "On the eve of justice, we're calling on Californians to march forth on March 4th in candlelight vigils to be held across the state in support of the Constitution’s promise of equality for all," states Molly McKay, Marriage Equality USA Media Director. "We invite supporters of marriage equality, their friends and families, and especially the 18,000 same-sex couples married last year, to join us in a showing of faith and support that love and justice will prevail."

"On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on why Proposition 8 should be repealed," continues Pamela Brown, Marriage Equality USA Policy Director. "Marriage Equality USA is working to raise $30,000 so that this historic oral argument on March 5th from 9am to noon can be seen and heard on a large jumbotron in Civic Center Plaza by the thousands of people expected to come to San Francisco to view the hearing. This venue will allow thousands of people to witness this historic event within view of the California Supreme Court." Interested donors can go to www.firstgiving.com/supremecourtjumbotron.

Grassroots organizations are collaborating across California to host these historic candlelight vigils on the evening of March 4th. In most locations, these vigils will include recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. Below is the current list of organized events as of this press release. For the most up-to-date information, go to EveofJustice.com and interested organizations that wish to participate can e-mail vigil@marriageequality.org.

To find out what is happening in your town, go to EveofJustice.com and click on your town.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, March 4 is the day before the California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8. That evening, we’ll stand together and send a unified message to our fellow Californians, including the Supreme Court Justices, that individual liberties like the right to marry are guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone and cannot be stripped away at the ballot box by a bare majority. Just as important, we will give our love and support to all the families headed by same-sex couples who are threatened by the recent electoral outcome, as well as same-sex couples whose hopes and dreams of marriage and family have been frustrated by enactment of Prop 8.

Events are happening all over the state and across the nation, including San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Orange County and more. To find out what is happening in your town, go to EveofJustice.com and click on your town.

Statewide sponsors for the event include Marriage Equality, Courage Campaign, Join the Impact, Glaad, and Equality California.

NEW UPDATE: Events in Response to the Richmond, CA Hate Crime Attack

NEW UPDATE: The four alleged attackers have been arrested. Thankfully, Sunday's leafleting event is no longer needed now that the rapists are in custody. Read the full article with video and images on the arrest.

More...

On Saturday, December 20th, a 28 year old woman was attacked when she got out of her car, beaten, taken to a desolate area and gang raped by four men. Authorities believe it was a hate crime because of the woman's homosexuality. During the attack, the four men made references to her sexual orientation. Read article for full story. Video

UPDATE: In an email from the organizers of the two events posted earlier in this post, they reported, "It is your compassion and your actions that has given the victim, "Richmond's Jane Doe" and her family something very powerful, HOPE.

"Between Saturday's Candle Vigil & Sunday's Leafleting in Richmond, over 200 people showed up and over 2000 fliers were issued through-out the community.

"It was our energy and interaction with the community that provided several possible leads that are now being investigated by Richmond's police department."

As a result of the success of the above, they are doing a new event.

NEW EVENT

What: Leafleting for Justice on behalf of "Richmond's Jane Doe"
Where: Wal-Mart 1400 Hilltop Mall Road Richmond, CA 94806
When: This Sunday January 4, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Sharp

Two events are scheduled this weekend in response to the attack. See calendar at the bottom of blog for further details.

FIRST EVENT

What: Candlelight Vigil & Protest Against Hate Crimes
When: This Saturday Night, December 27th.
Time: 9:30 P.M. Sharp To 10:00 P.M.
Where: 1500 Visalia Ave, Richmond Ca
Note: Please bring a candle, and do your best to carpool out of respect for the neighborhood.

SECOND EVENT

What: Visibility & Involvement with The Community by Issuing out Fliers of the "Most Wanted Criminals"
When: Sunday, December 28th.
Time: 1:00 P.M Sharp
Where: 4 mins from where the attack took place, meeting In front of Foods company, 1250 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94801
Note: Rain or Shine

The Community Violence Solutions and Rape Crisis Center has set up an account for donations to go to the victim. 100% of the money will go to her so she can replace her car, relocate and take time off from work.

To donate, Click on this link. IMPORTANT: You must indicate that it's fro Richmond Jane Doe.