These two youtube videos cover the events of today, in which protesters clashed over the issue of Proposition 8 which would amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman in California. The first one is video footage of the protest made by Andrew Lidwell, and the second one is a slideshow of the protest made by pictures from Marian Mesia, Natalie Christine, and Shannon Elliott. A full article can be found below the videos. More info on this as it comes in.
The rally was started by the Gay-Straight Alliance from Skyline College in opposition to Proposition 8, which would define marriage as only between a man and a woman in the California state constitution, but was joined by people who were lobbying for Prop. 8.
Both sides stood shouting slogans at each other for over 30 minutes until Student Trustee Virginia Medrano-Rosales decided to start an impromptu speech at 12:50 p.m.. Both sides would receive five minutes to speak while the other side remained silent.
The GSA started off, with a speech from it’s Vice President, Justin Doer.
“I love and respect all different lifestyles equally,” Doer said. “We should all be treating people as we want to be treated.” Doer finished by saying that “I think it’s [Prop. 8] discrimination.”
GSA Advisor AJ Bates followed by saying: “This is nothing but a civil rights issue. I was taught that acceptance and tolerance were a way of life.” Bates also said that “This is not about protecting families. [By voting yes on Prop. 8] you are voting to take away the rights of another.”
The other side started off with a woman in a brown jacket who refused to be named. Her argument for Prop. 8 said that the main point was “we want to teach children what we believe in.”
Her impromptu speech was followed by a man named Vas Teaupa who believed that when California judges allowed gays to marry they had overstepped their authority. “61 percent of California voters defined marriage as a man and a woman [in Proposition 22, which prevented California from recognizing state marriages]. Never should the [California State] Supreme Court overturn the will of the people.”
Teaupa believed that the movement against Prop. 8 should not be compared to the African-American civil rights movement. “This is not the same movement. An African-American can not hide that.” He finished up his speech by saying that the yes on 8 people don’t hate gays or lesbians.
“We don’t hate you. I don’t know you, I can’t hate you” Teaupa said.
A rebuttal was asked for by the GSA but was denied by the yes on 8 people who loudly chanted their slogans. While this was happening Doer read a written speech to his crowd.
The yes on 8 people then left the campus, at around 1:10 p.m.
Reactions during the protests:
John, 23, yes on 8:
If Prop. 8 passes will feel like he’s done his part. If it does not “I feel we can try a little harder next time; just because you lose a battle doesn’t mean you lose the war” said John. John feels no animosity towards the no on 8 side “I love ’em just as equally as one of my brothers or sisters.” John felt that these protests may influence the undecided.
AJ Bates, Skyline Advisor to the GSA, no on 8:
If Prop. 8 passes Bates will feel “individually discriminated against,” and if it fails “I will feel like civil rights have succeeded in California.” Bates feels that this protest will not necessarily influence the mind of voters. “I feel like the GSA can’t allow [only] one voice to be heard. Maybe when people see what we want is peaceful equality it will change their minds.”
Scott Smith, 21, student
Smith doesn’t care whether or not Prop. 8 passes. “I think it’s good both sides are exercising their civil rights. To think it’s wrong that the yes’s don’t have a say in this is wrong” Smith said. “It spices things up for Skyline.”
