At tonight's Prop. 8 Protest Rally in West Hollywood, thousands of people who came out in outrage to protest "the people" voting on our basic rights, were told that a protest would be held in front of the big Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. at 2pm tomorrow, Nov. 6.
The Mormon church's president sent a letter to all congregants asking them to get involved in the campaign to pass 8. Many responded with donations, estimated to have totaled $40-70 million. They also sent canvassers into swing districts. Even though the final votes are not tallied, it is not likely that the hateful proposition will be defeated.
It seems the LDS does not understand there is a separation between church and state (and they well should given their history). They follow the typical conservative bigoted reaction to say "follow the rules" except that they don't themselves. Like, don't bear false witness.
I am looking for details for the protest to be published online and will update this diary as the information becomes available. If I am not able to get info tonight, check these websites:
http://www.noonprop8.com/
http://www.eqca.org/...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/...
The Los Angeles LDS temple is located at 10777 Santa Monica Blvd., between Westwood Blvd. and Beverly Glen.
The rally in West Hollywood was held on San Vicente Blvd. between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. So many people showed up with now-used "No on 8" yard signs and hand-lettered posters and banners, that the crowd overflowed onto Santa Monica Blvd. and blocked traffic. We heard from several speakers representing many of the organizations that worked to defeat the initiative. All local news media was in attendance, including overhead helicopters.
After the rally, the still-angry and motivated crowd marched up San Vicente Blvd. to Sunset Blvd., where they briefly blocked traffic and showed our outrage at the vote outcome.
The LGBT community in California will redouble efforts to roll back this affront on human rights. If you can make it to the rally tomorrow, thanks.
[UPDATE 10:25 PM PST] The protests are still going on in the city. It seems groups split off from the WeHo event and are walking down the avenues. KCAL has a helicopter showing people at Highland and Hollywood, and the police are forming lines. There may be a sit-in at that corner - passive protesting. Looks like about 100-200 people. There are other disturbances in the city - on Santa Monica Blvd heading East, and another on Highland heading South.
[UPDATE 10:50PM] Still thousands of people out on the streets. I thought it was over and came home! Live TV link: http://media.myfoxla.com/...
[UPDATE 11:20] The protesters are regrouping where the event started. There are still about a thousand people. Live Cam from the corner: http://traffic.weho.org/ Click on the San Vicente cam icon.