SIT IN 4 EQUALITY NETWORK / MARRIAGE COUNTER SIT-INS FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS NATIONWIDE We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION:
NATIONAL MARRIAGE COUNTER SIT-IN FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Gay Recruiters, in Bloomington Indiana, having been profoundly inspired by the courageous actions of our brothers, sisters and straight allies at the Marriage Clerk sit-ins in Denver and San Diego on May 26th and 27th and Chicago on Valentine’s Day, staged a very successful Marriage Counter Sit-in for Marriage Equality in Bloomington, Indiana on Thursday July 2nd 2009 (also see: here and here).
In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots; in memory of our great LGBT civil rights movement leaders* Harvey Milk, Del Martin, and Barbara Gittings; and in tribute to our current living legends of the LGBT civil rights movement*, Frank Kameny and Phyllis Lyon (*and others too numerous to mention!) – we urge our LGBT brothers and sisters along with our Straight Allies to respond to our National Call to Action during the week of June 29th entitled:
Groups in Reno and Las Vegas Nevada joined our call to action. (Thank You, Reno and Las Vegas!)
Now that that historic Stonewall Anniversary week has concluded…we ENVISION Marriage Counter Sit-ins for Equality continuing NATIONWIDE until we have secured Marriage Equality FEDERALLY! We believe this is the best means to keep the cause of Marriage Equality in the national spotlight and we encourage you to organize a sit-in in your city!
While we, at Gay Recruiters, believe strongly in the Dallas Principles as a broad outline for the unremitting and uncompromising struggle for our complete and inherent civil rights on par with all other Americans, we additionally feel that peaceful nonviolent civil disobedience as practiced by Gandhi, Martin Luther King, César Chávez, Rosa Parks - and many others whose memory we so deeply revere - is necessary to obtain our FULL civil rights. We find this especially true in a period of stagnation and backsliding such as we are experiencing all too clearly in today’s headlines which finds the President we so overwhelmingly supported, President Obama, now supporting DOMA.
While we believe that respectful, dialogue and discourse has a key place in our fight, we believe - as MLK did - that our struggle will unnecessarily persist for many more years without the concomitant use of peaceful nonviolent civil disobedience. The decades have proven these methods - courageously practiced by our predecessors - to have been the correct complement to public discourse. Now OUR moment has arrived. In emulating our heroes of history, Destiny now leads us to honor their courage with our own! For those who feel this is the wrong tactic, we urge you to study the inspirational words of Martin Luther King which he issued in his Letter from Birmingham Jail. In these relevant excerpts, we have found truths for the ages which inspire us in our national call to action:
“You may well ask: "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?" You are quite right in calling, for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored….we must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood…
“The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation…
“…My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure. Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily…
“…We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct-action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied…
“…One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all…
“…I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate….who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection…
“…One day the South will know that when these disinherited children of God sat down at lunch counters, they were in reality standing up for what is best in the American dream …thereby bringing our nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the founding fathers in their formulation of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.”
We believe this is the perfect time to celebrate and honor the 40th Anniversary year of the Stonewall by staging a historic nationwide protest for Marriage Equality.
Sisters, Brothers and Allies, we know we have many battles ahead of us – but we feel Marriage Equality is a paramount civil rights cause in our struggle for full equal rights. We can do it! We believe in the incredible organizing potential of our community powered by the unquenched thirst for our full civil rights under the law!
We feel magic in the air! We feel Destiny calling us to be part of this historic moment -OUR moment - in history. Now is the time, as we were told by our “fierce advocate in Chief”, for those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put our hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
Now is our time for FULL equality under the law. Not later, not next year, not next decade – NOW is our magic moment in history.
So we ask you - across the nation in your town or city - to GET BUSY NOW planning your own Marriage Counter Sit-in for Marriage Equality in the best traditions of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, César Chávez and the lunch counter sit-ins of the 50’s and 60’s!
For those who believe such a nationwide campaign is impossible, we can only invoke the words of Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Just a cliché? This call for a National Campaign of Marriage Counter Sit-ins began on Facebook after the Day of Decision protests as just one voice in a sea of silence in answer to the question “what next?” It immediately grew to be a dream of our local group, and now - just two weeks later - it’s being brought to the national stage. And with your dedication and help the dream will fly – becoming part of the great history of our relentless struggle for FULL LGBT equal rights.
Brothers, Sisters, Allies...JOIN US! Grasp OUR rainbow arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day!
Please visit nonviolence4equality.org for more information about peaceful nonviolent civil disobedience and how to plan and organize your action.
Linda Giovanna Zambanini, Co-founder, Organizer, Gay Recruiters, Bloomington, IN
"For many years now, I have been an outspoken supporter of civil and human rights for gay and lesbian people," King said at the 25th Anniversary Luncheon for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.... "Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."
- Coretta Scott King, Chicago Tribune quote, April 1, 1998
Photo credit: SignOnSanDiego.com Protester Brian Baumgardner is handcuffed after being arrested during a sit-in for Gay Marriage at the County Clerk's office
San Diego County wastes big bucks, sends 50 riot-clad deputies to arrest nine protesters
SAN DIEGO – At a time when the County of San Diego is plagued with fiscal challenges, more than 50 sheriff's deputies, many dressed in full riot gear, were deployed to the County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Office downtown, to disperse nine peaceful protesters.
The controversy began promptly at 8 a.m. on the second floor, where marriage licenses are issued.
Tony and Tyler Dylan-Hyde, the local couple who had scored the first appointment to get a marriage license this morning before the appeals court issued a stay that halts gay wedding until at least December, arrived dressed in suits and ties to honor their 8 a.m. appointment.
At that time, about 10 deputies were on duty, dressed in their regular uniforms, asking the roughly 30 people gathered by the door to keep the hallway clear.
Flanked by media cameras, the Dylan-Hydes were kindly stopped before they could enter the office. A spokeswomen for the county informed them that unfortunately, due to the law changes, their appointment has been canceled.
Tyler, who is an attorney, informed the spokeswoman that they did not agree with the Ninth District Court of Appeal’s decision to stay gay marriages, and that they both felt Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling, as well as the statements issued by California’s Governor and Attorney General, should be enough for county officials to issue marriage licenses.
The spokeswoman said she understood their opinion but that as long as the stay was in place, there was nothing she could do and that she has to follow the law.
At that point, Tyler said that the county had an oath to follow California law, and that the Ninth District Court of Appeals had not set aside Judge Walker’s ruling that declared California's Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional. Additionally, Tyler said the stay did not prevent or prohibit the office from issuing marriage licenses.
Several times they requested to obtain a marriage license, but she budged from the doorway only to momentarily step inside and return with a printed version of the Ninth District Court of Appeal’s ruling on the stay.
There was a brief exchange about whether or not the stay actually prohibited the issuance of licenses, but in the end, the Dylan-Hydes, who have been together for 15 years, were unsuccessful in persuading her. So they asked to speak directly with David Butler, the County Clerk.
While they waited, they addressed the crowd and said they were there for all couples who could not be there.
“When you look at the stay, it’s really about the federal state telling the State of California to act,” Tyler said. “It’s a matter of California law, and the County, like all officials, has taken an oath to abide by the state’s constitution.”
Within a few minutes, Butler stepped into the hallway and caused momentary media frenzy as he escorted the Dylan-Hydes to the second- floor foyer to avoid blocking the entrance.
At this point, several members of San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME) and other marriage-equality supporters began chanting “Do the right thing” and various other comments as Butler explained to the Dylan-Hydes that, unfortunately, issuing them a marriage license was not something he could allow.
“We believe that county officials and the Attorney General have the authority and obligation to allow marriage licenses to proceed based on both the federal court's findings that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional - and the Governor's and Attorney General's filings in the Prop. 8 cases,” Tyler explained to Butler.
Again, Tyer made the same remarks about the county’s obligation to uphold the state’s constitution, and that there was nothing prohibiting the county from doing so.
Butler stood his ground however, stated that he respected their opinion and that he would present the material the Dylan-Hydes had brought with them to the full council. (View the letter given to the County Clerk HERE)
At this point, a female couple standing against the wall wiped away tears, while several in the crowd booed and others yelled “Do the right thing!”
The other couple in attendance were Michael Anderson and Brian Baumgardner, who have been together for nine years and wish to get married. Joined by friends and SAME supporters, they headed back down the hall to attempt to enter the Recorder’s office and get a licnese.
One supporter, identified as Mike, attempted to go through the door, but a Sheriff standing inside quickly shut it and two others were on hand to make sure he did not enter.
At this point, the group started chanting, “No marriage licenses, No peace! No justice, no peace!” and one person loudly proclaimed that if Michael and Brian could not get married than no one else could either.
Four people sat arm in arm blocking the side entrance, and five others did the same at the main entrance.
“Gay, straight, black, white; marriage is a civil right,” they chanted in unison, joined by several in the crowd. “No equality, No peace!”
“It’s the court’s choice do the right thing!” they chanted repeatedly. “We are ready, si se puede, to married, si se puede – separate is NOT equal.”
As they began chanting “David Butler do the right thing” more Sheriffs filed into the hall. They stood silently while one of them walked up and down the hall video taping the protestors and everyone else in the hallway.
For about an hour, the protesters chanted, sang hymns from the women’s and civil-rights movements.
During this time, three straight couples attempted to enter the office presumably for their own marriage licenses, and with the help of the deputies, they squeezed through or stepped over those sitting by the doors.
About 9:30 a.m., one deputy stood leaning against a wall holding dozens of zip cuffs in his hand while a group of deputies convened behind him and discussed how to proceed.
Within a few minutes, a group of five deputies approached the four protesters by the side entrance. One deputy bent down and informed them that if they did not move out of the way they would be arrested. The protesters remained seated and the two females sitting in the middle were lifted up by deputies and placed in zip cuffs. At this point, the scene became chaotic.
The media gathered around those being arrested while deputies attempted to build a wall between everyone else and those being arrested. The two others who remained seated on the ground attempted to scoot close together, but two deputies stood immediately between them. The one male from this group was arrested next, but the fourth was left alone as a group of deputies convened down the hall.
About 10 minutes went by, when the deputy in charge asked all officers in the hallway to join them in the foyer. At this point, another 20 deputies in riot gear waiting for their orders.
Two of the protesters blocking the main entrance joined the remaining protester at the side door and they resumed their chants.
About 10 a.m., a female deputy, standing in front of what at this point was close to 50 deputies in riot gear, spoke through a megaphone.
She told the crowd that anyone not wishing to be arrested had five minutes to disperse. Several left at this point, but the protesters remained seated.
True to their word, within five minutes, the first group of deputites marched single file down the hall. The media was ordered to remain on the left while those marching down the hall created a wall between cameras and the protesters.
In groups of four, deputies began approaching each of the remaining protesters and proceeded to place them into zip cuffs.
Anderson yelled for all to hear, that it was a waste of taxpayer money, that they should be ashamed of themselves, before being placed into zip cuffs and led down the hall.
There deputies in riot gear, one with a sniper rifle at his side, standing by the first and second floor stairways. Each protester was escorted by two deputies down into the basement.
Once outside, it was evident that Sheriff's Department had spared no expense in arresting these nine peaceful protesters.
A 65-passenger sheriff's bus was waiting by the building loading dock. Two deputies brought out shackles and metal cuffs and proceeded inside.
Within a span of roughly 30 minutes, the protesters were brought out three groups of two, and one group of three. In each incident, there were four deputies escorting the protesters onto the bus.
About 10 marriage equality supporters remained and they waved rainbow flags and chanted cheers of support, such as “Civil rights heroes, let them go!”
The protesters smiled in appreciation, and some held up peace signs. They were shackled around the waist to each other as well as handcuffed to each other.
A smaller white van proceeded to escort the bus onto the street, and the nine non-violent offenders were driven away from the county building, while many employees stood watching from the windows.
Reported by Cynthia Schweigert
WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8 - LINK
LA CROSSE, Wis.- Acceptance and awareness, two things area families promoted Sunday by holding a peaceful sit-in at Riverside Park.
They're hoping to bring more attention to something that happened about two weeks ago when the state's Supreme Court made a major decision that'll affect the future for many in our area.
From afar, it just looks like a group hanging out in Riverside Park. Dig a little deeper and you'll find the common thread that brings them together.
"I am part of a two mom household," said Rosanne St. Sauver.
"I am transgender," said Thatcher Holmes.
"We have two biological kids and we have two young men that have become our sons when they were thrown out of their houses for coming out as gay," said Carol Lloyd Neill.
They're all fighting for the same thing.
The sit-in stems from the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to uphold the state's ban on marriage and civil unions between homosexual couples.
"I think if families want to get married, regardless of who makes up those families, that that's a right that everyone should have. It should be the same," said St. Sauver.
As the Neill family knows firsthand, it's not.
"Our youngest daughter is getting married in December, and our sons don't have that right. It takes away some of the joy in the event with our daughter because we know that our sons don't have that right," said Lloyd Neill.
But the Wisconsin Family Council argues that's the way it should be.
The organization's President says "When Wisconsin voters passed the marriage amendment in 2006 by almost 60%, they recognized the purpose of the amendment was clear and simple: to protect the institution of marriage."
Now that the Supreme Court is sticking with that ban, some are upset that they or their loved ones can't tie the knot.
"Just because our sons are gay doesn't mean they shouldn't get to do that," said Lloyd Neill.
Sunday's sit-in also aimed to help support all types of families, whether that be families with two dads, grandparents raising their grandkids, or single parent families.
The state's Supreme Court decided to uphold that constitutional ban about two weeks ago with a vote of seven to zero.
13 Chicago LGBTs Demanding ENDA Passage Arrested at Sen. Durbin's Office [video]
Thirteen protesters demanding that Democratic Senator Dick Durbin actually do something for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights -- rather than just talk about it -- sat in at his office today and were arrested. The focus of the action was passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Action (ENDA) ensuring job protections for LGBT people.
In Durbin's case, the distinction between words and actions couldn't be more stark. He says he favors LGBT legal equality, including passage of ENDA and repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). Yet he voted for DADT in 1993 and for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.
Today he's a sponsor of ENDA, but has done next to nothing to advocate for it. He says he opposes employment discrimination, yet his 1993 DADT vote ensures that the nation's largest employer (the military) continues discriminating and he has refused to demand that President Obama issue a stop-loss order for outed military personnel.
Today's action was organized by a coalition of activists from the Gay Liberation Network, Join the Impact-Chicago and LGBT Change.
AZ DADT Civil disobedience, 5 Arrested at McCain's office
Four of five people arrested for protesting in Denver's marriage-license office over the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold a same-sex marriage ban were acquitted of all charges Friday.
A Denver County Court jury found John Ferguson, Catherine Burns, Sharon Wilkins, Lewis Thompson and Donald Foxworth not guilty of failure to obey a lawful order.
But Burns was convicted of trespassing and sentenced to 40 hours of community service.
In May 2008, Burns was convicted of trespassing for staging a sit-in with her partner after the two were denied a marriage license in Denver.
On May 26, 2009, Burns and the other four protesters were arrested by Denver police in the Wellington Webb building at the office of the clerk and recorder because police said they were impeding others from obtaining a license.
Qusair Mohamedbhai, an associate at Killmer, Lane & Newman, took on the case without fee because he felt the protesters' First Amendment rights were trampled on when they were arrested for protesting in a public space.
Mohamedbhai said witness Daniel Stone and his fiancee went into the office during the protest and testified that the demonstrators did not prevent them from obtaining a license.
Co-counsel Mari Newman claimed the city attorneys who prosecuted the case had gays struck from the panel during jury selection.
"It is patently illegal for one side to strike all of the jurors because they share a common protective feature," she said. "The city did it three out of three times."
Assistant City Attorney Vince DiCroce said the jurors were excused not because they are gay but because they said they could not be impartial when questioned by the judge.
DiCroce said the defense did not raise the issue or make an objection about the jurors during selection.
