Counterprotest "Yes on 8" rally on El Camino in Redwood City

[firecat]

About 10 minutes ago I drove along El Camino in Redwood City and saw a lot of people with "Yes on 8" signs. They were concentrated at El Camino & Jefferson, and El Camino & Whipple.

I picked up a couple of "No on 8" signs at the Democratic Party Headquarters at El Camino near San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos.

Later today the OH (and I, if I am not feeling too chicken) may go out to do our own demonstration.

ETA: The OH reports that the "No on 8" office does not want people counterdemonstrating.

Comments

[clever-doberman.livejournal.com]

good luck, and remember you have tons of people behind you.


yesterday I drove past an intersection where a bunch of folks were waving No on 8 signs and I had so much fun honking my horn, getting cheers, hearing others honk. it was the most fun I've had driving thru that intersection in ages.


so do it! you'll be surprised (I hope) at the honks.

[clever-doberman.livejournal.com]

do you know why they don't want a counter demonstration? I'm willing to accept that, I'm just curious.


(and a few questions: what does "OH" stand for? and what does "ETA" stand for?)

[firecat]

I don't know. I would assume they don't want to risk violence, want to support people's right to demonstrate, don't want to risk additional media attention for "Yes on 8," things like that.

OH = "Outlaw Husband," my primary partner, Aahz. (I call him that because we had a marriage ceremony but we didn't tell the government...partly because we don't really trust the marriage laws, and partly because at the time of our ceremony many of our friends did not have the option to marry.)

ETA = Edited to Add

[clever-doberman.livejournal.com]

...like I refer to my ex as my "semi-significant other" since we are sort of stuck with each other for life.

[bastette-joyce.livejournal.com]

ETA: The OH reports that the "No on 8" office does not want people counterdemonstrating.

Really? Why not??

Also, what does "ETA" stand for? I know it only as "estimated time of arrival".

Jesus now says NO on 8!

[(Anonymous)]

Many Christians are starting to realize that Jesus Says No on 8 (http://jesussaysnoon8.com/)

[firecat]

I don't know. I would assume they don't want to risk violence, want to support people's right to demonstrate, don't want to risk additional media attention for "Yes on 8," things like that.

ETA = Edited to Add

re: Counterprotest "Yes on 8" rally...

[betonica.livejournal.com]

Housemate (not a mac fan, generally) pointed out this on their main page - I found it buried a little deeper, but still:

October 24, 2008

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

I wish y'all luck with that campaign!

Re: Counterprotest "Yes on 8" rally...

[firecat]

Thanks for passing that on! I used to be an Apple employee. I'm glad they took a stand on this.

[dreamalynn.livejournal.com]

My guess is that incidents like this one (http://theremina.livejournal.com/224143.html) would be part of why they don't want counterprotests. Quick details: theremina was walking down the street in Oakland and saw a bunch of noisy Yes on 8 protesters, and started filming them with her phone, and was assaulted by a bunch of them for doing so. They were out on a public street corner, no expectation of privacy, but they were willing to become violent with a complete stranger who was merely documenting their public activity. One tried to steal and destroy her phone, but she got it back. Their vitriol is terrifying and, if I may be so bold, utterly unAmerican. But then, trying to take away civil rights from a minority population is pretty damned unAmerican too.

I have never before wished so hard to live in California.

[firecat]

I didn't watch the video but I read the post. Ick. I don't like hate.

[dreamalynn.livejournal.com]

I couldn't watch the whole video. It was just disgusting.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Wow. Not the best video, but the sign-waving and such by the woman who grabs the phone is very obvious.

[badgerbag.livejournal.com]

hey that's my corner! I have been out there almost every time there was a rally -- being a No on 8 presence. whatever on the mandate from No on 8 office. I had a very good time counterdemonstrating!

[firecat]

Go you!