Blowback

Saturday night, I went with three of my neighbors to the Anti-Prop 8 protest in Silver Lake.  Alas, I forgot to bring my camera, so let me try to paint the picture with words.  By the time we got to the rally site, there were so many people there that my party and I couldn't see the stage and could barely hear what the speakers were saying.  After about half an hour of waiting around, we marched.  And there were thousands of us: gays, lesbians, heteros, gay married couples, straight families with kids, gay families with kids, old, young, middle aged, Latino, Asian, African-American, etc. We all marched together, chanting:

What do we want? EQUAL RIGHTS! When do we want it?  NOW!

Gay, straight, black, white, marriage is a civil right!

TAX THE CHURCH!  TAX THE CHURCH!

During the first turn through Silver Lake, we encountered counter-protestors from the infamously gay-hating Westboro Baptist Church.  Fortunately, I was in the middle of the crowd and not by where they were gathered 'cause I would have probably let loose with a lot of profanities.  It wouldn't have been helpful, that's for sure.  We moved past them quickly and kept on marching.

The march lasted about 2 hours, starting  around 6pm. My good friend and neighbor Susan and I were march-buddies, sticking close to each other, commenting on the homemade signs people had, and the crazy homeless woman who ended up marching by us for about 10 minutes.  After a while, hunger starting kicking in for all of us there. 

Me:  "What do we want?  A BURRITO!  When do we want it?"

Susan: "Now!"

As we were marching up Vermont Avenue into Hollywood, one of the rally guys decided to change up our chants:

Rally Guy:  "Okay, guys.  Repeat after me!  'No you di'int, California!  No you di'int, California!"

All:  "No you di'int, California!  No you di'in't, California!"

Susan:  "Ok, that is totally my favorite chant."

Me:  "Me too."

The rally was amazing.  It was so invigorating being around thousands of people all marching and chanting and feeling the same cause.  I do feel that this is the start of a serious movement.  It really shocked many people, myself included, that California would actually vote to restrict people's rights.  I plan to participate in more rallies and actions.  This country's history is one of expanding rights, and being more inclusive, not going the other direction.  But this forward movement is based on the hard work and actions of people pushing America forward.  The push by the religious right to restrict our rights with Prop 8 has now huge consequences.  The blowback against the Church of Latter Day Saints, The Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and other organizations is going to be fierce.  My blog pal Brett has compiled the list of Yes on 8 supporters, including every business that donated to their cause.  In addition to others across the nation, I urge a boycott of every business and organization that supported Prop 8.  You want to take away my rights?  You will not get a dime of my money and the money of my family and friends.  You want to treat me as a second class citizen?  Fine.  But you will pay the price for that.  Because millions of people are now awaken from their complacency, angered, upset, and not willing to let this go.  Because the blowback against all of you is going to be intense.  Actions have consequences, and yours will really, really hurt.

Comments

[bstewart23]

Two words: RIGHT. ON.

[katie]

Sounds awesome; I wish I'd gone. :) LOL on the burrito now thing. :) I'm going to put that link on Facebook and my blog. :)