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About 40 people gathered Wednesday to protest the passage of Proposition 8 that limits marriage in California to heterosexual couples, in front of popular coffee house, Hot Java on the corner of Junipero and Broadway.
The rally, which started at about 7 p.m. by three people calling and text messaging their friends, was a response to a 52 percent vote to change the state constitution – although California Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage, in May, in its interpretation of the constitution.
“Tonight is about visibility,” said Ján Montoya, a protestor in Long Beach. “(Proponents of the measure) were expecting us to give up and roll over, but no, the fight has just begun.”
The night, which was peppered by signs, candle lights and the occasional honk in support of the protestors, also was a wake up call to nonvoters said organizer Tom Crowe.
“This will enlighten people who didn’t vote,” Crowe said. “Their apathy has caused this travesty.”
Only one woman who walked by the protestors screamed, “I voted yes on 8,” after she was at least 100 feet away from the people who rallied.
Marella Wilson said she found similar reactions common from people who proposed the measure.
“They want us to hide,” Wilson said. “I notice that they are operating in the dark.”
The battle for equality is far from over. The proof is in the election of our new president, she said.
“Look at me,” she said, referring to her black skin tone. “I saw what happens last night with the accumulation of civil rights…We thought this day was never going to happen in our lifetime.”
Other protests throughout the state drew much larger crowds. In West Hollywood, protestors neared a 1,000 people. The Los Angeles Times reported that several people were arrested when a group of about 500 people broke away from the larger demonstration that began in West Hollywood earlier in the evening during a clash with police officers.
Civil rights groups moved quickly Wednesday to challenge Proposition 8, asking the California Supreme Court to strike down the latest attempt to ban same-sex marriage across the state, while refusing to concede that the ballot measure has passed and arguing that measure violates the equal protection rights of gay and lesbian couples.
It is unclear what the amendment means for the 18,000 same-sex couples who have married in the state since June.
Marriage equality supporters have scheduled a conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple. At the urging of church President Thomas Monson, Mormons contributed more than $15 million to fund the initiative and advertising to the right of same-sex couples to marry.
The Los Angeles Mormon Temple is on Highway 147 in Westwood, near
Selby Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.
Details: call (323) 993-7643

A march to protest Proposition 8 is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 from Redondo Avenue to Alamitos Blvd. on Broadway in Long Beach.

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