"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
Release date: August 20, 2009
From: Soulforce in Colorado and the “Denver Five”
Subject: “Denver Five” Attends Disposition Hearing
Contacts: Kate Burns, Soulforce in Colorado (303) 806-8444; Mari Newman, Attorney with Killmer, Lane & Newman (303)-571-1000
(Denver, CO) On Wednesday, August 19, the “Denver Five” appeared at their disposition hearing and entered pleas of not guilty to charges resulting from a public demonstration in the Office of the Denver County Clerk. Hearing and trial dates are pending at this time.
The “Denver Five,” comprised of Kate Burns, Lewis Thompson, Laurin Foxworth, John Ferguson, Shari Wilkins, (as well as Deborah MacNair, who was not arrested), conducted a non-violent protest against the California Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold Proposition 8, which denies equal access to civil marriage to individuals whose loved one is of the same gender. After Shari and her partner Deborah were denied their request for a marriage license, the Denver Five lined up across the front of the marriage license counter at the office of the Denver County Clerk and Recorder in a symbolic demonstration of support for the right of all U.S. citizens to enter into civil marriage. The action resulted in the mass arrest of the Denver Five, who were charged with “trespassing” and “failure to obey a lawful order.” This demonstration took place while a hundred supporters mounted a sidewalk demonstration outside the building. Both actions were planned and coordinated with the invaluable assistance of Soulforce in Colorado.
The group is being defended by the law firm of Killmer, Lane & Newman, led by Mari Newman, Esq. Ms. Newman previously defended Kate Burns and her partner Sheila Schroeder, after their attempt to be granted a marriage license in September 2007 met with a similar fate.
