Prop 8 has Been Upheld. Protest Tonight in SF!

The California Supreme Court has upheld Prop 8. Get out and PROTEST TONIGHT! let your voice be heard. Fight for your equality.

Supreme Court Protest - Get Involved!

From our Friends at JOIN THE IMPACT:

California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on validity of Prop 8 : How you can get involved!

On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. You can show your support for the repeal of Proposition 8 in four ways:

1. Get to San Francisco

Thousands of people are expected to come from all across the state to the California Supreme Court Building in San Francisco in the hopes of attending the oral argument to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. Buses of students are being arranged from Southern California so that young people can witness this civil rights moment of their generation. They created this website for the event http://100000march.org

This is so important that I've extended my trip in California and Amy is flying down with her wife from Seattle.

You can come and witness it too -- join thousands of us in San Francisco on March 5th for this historic moment. Across the state and across the country, citizens are coming together to form carpools and rideshares. Any way that you can, please try and get to San Francisco for March 5th!

2. Help ensure that everyone can view the oral arguments

Unfortunately, there is very very limited seating in the courtroom and little overflow viewing. We will be gathering in front of the California Supreme Court in Civic Center Plaza. Only a few will be able to go inside -- but with your help, the rest will be able to view the proceedings from outside. I'm hoping you will help Marriage Equality USA raise the funds we need to ensure that everyone can see and hear the historic oral arguments together on the Civic Center Plaza on an huge Jumbotron.

We need to raise $30,000 (for the Jumbotron and sound systems for the community candlelight vigil the night before and the day of the hearing). If we can do this, we will jointly create the most incredible historic community moment of the year!

All donations are tax deductible and will be used solely for getting the Jumbotron and sound system we need to provide our community the opportunity to watch and participate as history is made.

We only have a week - can you please forward this on to everyone you know and ask them to contribute. Gifts of $20.00, $10.00, and even $5.00 will help inch us closer to our goal. All donations are gratefully appreciated!

http://www.firstgiving.com/supremecourtjumbotron

Please forward any questions to Molly McKay at (510) 332-0872

3. Wear white

Join the Impact has called upon our community, whether you can be in San Francisco or not, to please wear white on March 5th. This can be a tee-shirt, a feather boa, or white leather or a White Knot. Wherever you are -- wear white on March 5th to show your support! Wearing white is a simple symbol of solidarity across our country.

4. Eve of Justice Candlelight Vigils

The night before the oral arguments, Marriage Equality USA is also helping to convene candlelight vigils across the state (in 20 cities and counting) in support of protecting the Constitutional Promise of Equality for All! To find a vigil near you go to www.eveofjustice.com or www.marriageequality.org


In solidarity, Willow
Join The Impact Co- Executive Director

March 4th - EVE OF JUSTICE PROTEST

Get ready for the Rally! Download and Print your Protest Posters NOW!

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.

To read the parties' filings and the dozens of amicus 'friend of the court' briefs filed on behalf of Civil Rights Organizations, Bar Associations, Academics, Women's Groups, Faith and Religious Groups, and many others go to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8.htm

March 5th - Supreme Court Oral Argument Hearing 9am to noon.

Television viewing: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/prop8viewing.htm

Local Public Viewings: Check your local city for viewing locations as they become available.

Equality should not be put up for a popular vote.

• Prop 8 is a radical and unprecedented change to the California Constitution that puts all Californians at risk.
• Prop 8 defeats the very purpose of our constitution, which is to protect minorities and to make sure the law treats everyone equally.
• This is the first time the initiative process has successfully been used to change the California Constitution to take away a fundamental freedom from a particular group and to mandate government discrimination against a minority.
• If prop 8 is upheld, the courts will no longer have a meaningful role in protecting minority groups or women, since any decision prohibiting discrimination could be reversed by a simple majority.

From the EVE OF JUSTICE.

California Attorney General asks Courts to Reverse Prop 8

In a surprise move yesterday, California Attorney General, Jerry Brown ask the state Supreme Court to overturn the passage of Prop 8 in California.

He is taking stand against Prop 8. Jerry Brown acknowledges that the passage of Proposition 8 violates basic rights for everyone found in our state's Constitution. Taking away the rights of same-sex couples to marry is discrimination against a minority group.

"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification" said Brown.

He will have a fight ahead of him though! Kenneth Starr (of Whitewater Fame) filed for the Yes on 8 campaign for the courts to uphold the passage of this discriminating proposition.

Tonight is LIGHT UP THE NIGHT! join us at Union Square in San Francisco at 5pm for Candlelight Vigil. Bring a Candle!