On Civil Rights Activism

Nov 06, 2008 21:48

So, I mentioned that I went to a candlelight vigil at City Hall last night and that I'd update afterward. It was nice - there were several high profile local, state, and GLBT community speakers, sharing in our sadness, but building hope that the fight will continue until the war is won. It was inspiring, actually. I feel like this is only a matter of time and that it will be a wake-up call to everyone who hoped Prop 8 would lose but did nothing to actively stop its passage. We are in the midst of what is becoming the next Civil Rights movement and the energy around here is intense. Interestingly, though, and very important is that very few people I talk to have anger about it - instead it is becoming a drive to do more, to become more involved, to spread the word and stand up for what we know is truly right. Already, things are in the works. There is a march tomorrow in San Francisco from Civic Center to Dolores Park, and the facebook group has invited over 10,000 people thus far (let alone the non-facebook word of mouth and networking that is spreading the word), and the march has already received approval from the City and from the SFPD. There's another march scheduled in Sacramento on Sunday on the steps of the Capitol Building for the same purposes, the lawsuits have already been filed, and who knows what else is going to come from this.

I've decided that I'm definitely attending tomorrow's rally/march, and I'm considering going to Sacramento on Sunday as well. This is becoming a once-in-a-generation movement that benefits from sheer numbers of people involved, and I am hopeful that these protests and marches will remain civil and non-violent. After all, that is the only way we can really earn the support of others who may not have supported us in the polls on Tuesday. We have a message of love and equality, and anger and hatred will do nothing to persuade others that our message is valid.

If you're in SF tomorrow, come to the march (it starts at Market and 7th at 5:30pm - we can meet at my place at 5 if you want to go as a group since I live only a few blocks away). If you can get to Sacramento on Sunday - do it. Join the cause, spread the word, and keep up the fight until we've earned (back) the rights that we deserve.
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