Power to the PeopleTHOUSANDS EXPECTED TO ATTEND PROTEST WEDNESDAY AT MORMON TEMPLE ADJACENT TO MANHATTAN’S LINCOLN CENTER DEMONSTRATORS WILL CONDEMN THE LDS CHURCH’S LEAD ROLE IN PASSAGE OF CALIFORNIA’S ANTI-GAY PROPOSITION 8
NEW YORK CITY (Nov. 11, 2008) -- Several thousand human rights advocates will march on the Mormon Temple in a peaceful protest on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30pm. Demonstrators will speak out against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the active role it played in passing California’s Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that overturns a state Supreme Court decision in May which legalized same-sex unions.
The Manhattan New York Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is located at 125 Columbus Ave at 65th Street. The protest will run from 6:30pm to 8pm.
“Hatred has no place in society and it has no place in state constitutions,” said Corey Johnson, co-organizer of the protest. “Proposition 8 robs the LGBT community of its dignity and equality as American citizens. While human rights activists in California work to overturn this shameful amendment, we here in New York protest in solidarity with them, and we will work to ensure that a similar law never happens here.”
LGBT activists and their allies will march in protest in front of the Mormon Temple, carrying signs and banners, including a 75 -foot banner declaring “God Loves Gay Marriage”. This was handsewn for the demonstration by veteran activist Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Rainbow Flag, which is the universal symbol of LGBT liberation.
The Manhattan demonstration follows on the heels of protests in California that begin last week after the passage of Prop. 8. Tens of thousands of people have marched in anger through San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, Salt Lake City, Dallas and Chicago, among other cities. A national day of protest is planned for Saturday, November 15, organized by Join the Impact. For details on events across America, visit www.jointheimpact.com/.
It is estimated that members of the LDS Church contributed more than $20 million to ensure passage of Proposition 8, while Church leaders orchestrated a vicious propaganda campaign from the pulpit. The proposition passed narrowly with 52% of the vote, versus 48% against.
More than 18,000 gay and lesbian couples have tied the knot in California since June 17. New York State Gov. David Paterson issued a directive in May requiring state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Paterson has said that if the Assembly and Senate pass legislation for gay marriage, he will sign it.
ATTENTION MEDIA: For advance interviews with Corey Johnson, please call (646) 246-4848. Johnson, Gilbert Baker, local politicians and same-sex married couples will be available at the demonstration.
2 comments:
These types of protests are so weak, though. I'm not saying don't do it, but when gay activists choose an easy safe Manhattan target the population doesn't care much. Groups like Radical Homosexal Agenda (yea, real radical) hide under the table when Crown Heights is planning it's homophobe march, but suddenly re-emerge...for this ?! (only Joe My God had the guts to go out by himself to check out Crown Heights last August). Hardly any gay protests against Ahmadinejad (except a few Reublican gays standing with American Jews). Homophobe Senator Diaz sits safely in his house in the Bronx, knowing gays won't dare f--k with him in his neighborhood. Etc.////But, I'll admit there might be something to it if a protest catches enough interest that more people, gay and straight, start educating themselves on the whole subject and all relevant subjects.
MAJOR correction needed. When I said "Radical Homosexal agenda" I really meant Queer Justice League. Apologies.
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