SAN FRANCISCO EVENTS ON MARCH 4TH AND 5TH SURROUNDING PROP 8 ORAL ARGUMENTS
March 02, 2009
San Francisco - In advance of the historic California Supreme Court oral arguments on the validity of Proposition 8 and whether the initiative process can be used to take away fundamental freedoms from minorities, community organizations and thousands of Californians are coming together for candlelight vigils to support the Constitution´s Promise of Equality for All. In San Francisco, where it all started and where we hope it will end on the side of social justice and marriage equality, there are a series of events to mark this historic occasion.
March 4th, San Francisco Eve of Justice Events
There are over 30 candlelight vigils being planned across California and as far away as Tulsa, Oklahoma. A complete list can be found at www.marriageequality.org and www.eveofjustice.com. The San Francisco event will begin with a rally at Harvey Milk Plaza and march to the California Supreme Court. Below is specific information on the programs at both locations.
Rally at Harvey Milk Plaza (corner of Castro and Market) from 5-6pm
The program will include comments from religious and community organizations, celebrities, and performances from the San Francisco Gay Men´s Chorus and San Francisco Freedom Band.
Specific speakers in order of appearance include: Reverend Lea Brown from the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, Davina Kotulski (author and former Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA), Phil Ting (San Francisco County Assessor and Recorder); Paulie Schreck of COLAGE (children and youth of LGBTQ parents), Teresa Lee Chung of PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays), Hal Sparks from HBO´s Queer as Folk, Community Plaintiffs (Jewel Gomez and Diane Sabin, Helen Zia and Lia Shigemura, Pali Cooper and Jeannie Rizzo); Willow Witte (Co-Founder of Join the Impact); Andrea Shorter from (And Marriage for All); Dustin Lance Black (2009 Academy Award Winner for Best Screenplay in Milk); Cleve Jones (Harvey Milk´s Campaign Staff and Founder of AIDS Quilt); Robin Tyler & Diane Olson (Long-Time Activists and Plaintiffs in Marriage Lawsuits); and Reverend Troy Perry (Founder of Metropolitan Community Church and Plaintiffs in Marriage Lawsuit).
A march from Harvey Milk Plaza down Market St to the California Supreme Court will begin at 6:00 pm.
Rally at California Supreme Court (Civic Center Plaza) from 6:45-8pm
The program at the Court Steps (350 McAllister St) will include comments from the legal team and amici (friends of the court) representatives who will present arguments on why Prop 8 should be overturned. In addition, there will be a commitment pledge ceremony and performances from Joy Chorus and the Full Heart Band, Johnny Schaefer, and Green & Root.
Specific speakers in order of appearance include: Samuel Berston (11 years old with his moms); Kate Kendell, Esq (National Center for Lesbian Rights); Terry Stewart, Esq (Chief Attorney for the City & County of San Francisco); Gloria Alred, Esq (Representing Diane Olson and Robin Tyler); Geoff Kors (Equality California); and several speakers to be announced who will represent the over 50 amicus briefs filed before the Court asking Prop 8 be overturned.
March 5th, San Francisco Events Surrounding Oral Arguments
On the day of the oral arguments, there will be two events in Civic Center Plaza, just outside the steps of the California Supreme Court.
Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice at Civic Center Plaza from 7:30am-8:45am
The MCC San Francisco (MCCSF) will lead an "Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice," immediately prior to hearing the arguments on Prop 8. The Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice will enable all persons who stand together for marriage equality to focus our minds and hearts on a peaceful resolution of this matter. Our collective objective is to help our fellow citizens understand that legal inequalities such as Proposition 8 are not only unconstitutional, but are also grossly unfair and wrong.
Program will feature Bishop Yvette Flunder, Senior Pastor of City of Refuge UCC and Presiding Prelate of The Fellowship, Rev. Lea Brown and Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Founder of Metropolitan Community Churches. Religious leaders from Jewish, Buddhist, Unitarian, and LGBT Mormon faith communities are being confirmed and will also be speaking. The Worship and Praise Team from MCCSF, under the direction of Stephanie Lynn Smith, will perform.
Jumbotron Viewing of Oral Arguments at Civic Center Plaza from 9am-Noon
With limited seating in the courtroom, Marriage Equality USA has arranged thanks to generous donations from Courage Campaign, Equality Californian and hundreds of other individuals for a jumbotron to be set up in Civic Center Plaza to allow an opportunity for thousands of Californians to come together and view the oral arguments.
March 4th, San Francisco Eve of Justice Events
There are over 30 candlelight vigils being planned across California and as far away as Tulsa, Oklahoma. A complete list can be found at www.marriageequality.org and www.eveofjustice.com. The San Francisco event will begin with a rally at Harvey Milk Plaza and march to the California Supreme Court. Below is specific information on the programs at both locations.
Rally at Harvey Milk Plaza (corner of Castro and Market) from 5-6pm
The program will include comments from religious and community organizations, celebrities, and performances from the San Francisco Gay Men´s Chorus and San Francisco Freedom Band.
Specific speakers in order of appearance include: Reverend Lea Brown from the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, Davina Kotulski (author and former Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA), Phil Ting (San Francisco County Assessor and Recorder); Paulie Schreck of COLAGE (children and youth of LGBTQ parents), Teresa Lee Chung of PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays), Hal Sparks from HBO´s Queer as Folk, Community Plaintiffs (Jewel Gomez and Diane Sabin, Helen Zia and Lia Shigemura, Pali Cooper and Jeannie Rizzo); Willow Witte (Co-Founder of Join the Impact); Andrea Shorter from (And Marriage for All); Dustin Lance Black (2009 Academy Award Winner for Best Screenplay in Milk); Cleve Jones (Harvey Milk´s Campaign Staff and Founder of AIDS Quilt); Robin Tyler & Diane Olson (Long-Time Activists and Plaintiffs in Marriage Lawsuits); and Reverend Troy Perry (Founder of Metropolitan Community Church and Plaintiffs in Marriage Lawsuit).
A march from Harvey Milk Plaza down Market St to the California Supreme Court will begin at 6:00 pm.
Rally at California Supreme Court (Civic Center Plaza) from 6:45-8pm
The program at the Court Steps (350 McAllister St) will include comments from the legal team and amici (friends of the court) representatives who will present arguments on why Prop 8 should be overturned. In addition, there will be a commitment pledge ceremony and performances from Joy Chorus and the Full Heart Band, Johnny Schaefer, and Green & Root.
Specific speakers in order of appearance include: Samuel Berston (11 years old with his moms); Kate Kendell, Esq (National Center for Lesbian Rights); Terry Stewart, Esq (Chief Attorney for the City & County of San Francisco); Gloria Alred, Esq (Representing Diane Olson and Robin Tyler); Geoff Kors (Equality California); and several speakers to be announced who will represent the over 50 amicus briefs filed before the Court asking Prop 8 be overturned.
March 5th, San Francisco Events Surrounding Oral Arguments
On the day of the oral arguments, there will be two events in Civic Center Plaza, just outside the steps of the California Supreme Court.
Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice at Civic Center Plaza from 7:30am-8:45am
The MCC San Francisco (MCCSF) will lead an "Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice," immediately prior to hearing the arguments on Prop 8. The Interfaith Celebration of Hope and Justice will enable all persons who stand together for marriage equality to focus our minds and hearts on a peaceful resolution of this matter. Our collective objective is to help our fellow citizens understand that legal inequalities such as Proposition 8 are not only unconstitutional, but are also grossly unfair and wrong.
Program will feature Bishop Yvette Flunder, Senior Pastor of City of Refuge UCC and Presiding Prelate of The Fellowship, Rev. Lea Brown and Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Founder of Metropolitan Community Churches. Religious leaders from Jewish, Buddhist, Unitarian, and LGBT Mormon faith communities are being confirmed and will also be speaking. The Worship and Praise Team from MCCSF, under the direction of Stephanie Lynn Smith, will perform.
Jumbotron Viewing of Oral Arguments at Civic Center Plaza from 9am-Noon
With limited seating in the courtroom, Marriage Equality USA has arranged thanks to generous donations from Courage Campaign, Equality Californian and hundreds of other individuals for a jumbotron to be set up in Civic Center Plaza to allow an opportunity for thousands of Californians to come together and view the oral arguments.
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