“We demand equality!”By Ryan Thomas Riddle
The message was clear from the demonstrators and speakers at last night’s (Nov. 4) equality rally at Harvey Milk Plaza: Fuck this, we demand equality right now! Even though two demonstrators were cited, the rally was considered peaceful and a success.
The major source of disappointment was Maine’s voter ban on same-sex marriage , as well as the first anniversary since Proposition 8 passed here in California, repealing marriage equality. However, there were a couple of victories on the equality front. A gay rights measure is leading in Washington and Kalamazoo overwhelmingly passed an anti-discrimination ordinance.
Plenty of blame was laid at our politicians’ feet—particularly President Barack Obama, who many felt hadn’t made same-sex marriage enough of a national priority. “Hey Obama, can’t you see, we demand equality,” chanted the crowd.
The organizers of the rally are a grassroots organization known as One Fight, One Struggle. According to organizer Ashley Simmons, their goal is for a full civil rights bill for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals, which she said “is necessary to have equality in this way.”
The speakers echoed this sentiment. One speaker, who would be taken away by police, shouted out, “How fucking dare you take rights away from us!”
But the rally was also about equality for all—encompassing such issues as health care reform and affordable housing. “Oppression is still around in this country,” Simmons told the Guardian.
For some in the crowd, the rally was also about the lack of political awareness in San Francisco’s gay community. According to demonstrator Frank Capley-Alfano, many in the community are complacent and apathetic to the equality issue. “No one wants to say it. They turn a blind eye, but know it’s true,” he said.
And to raise further awareness, the small rally cloistered at the plaza marched down the Castro, chanting for people to get out of the bars and gyms and into the streets. When the march got to the intersection of 18th and Castro, demonstrators stopped and blocked traffic at all four corners. “If we have to wait, so do the cars,” they chanted. Others fearing trouble with the cops took the sidewalks.
One thing organizers made clear to demonstrators—this wasn’t going to get violent. And it didn’t.
When San Francisco police arrived, the organizers made a peaceful deal with the sergeant. Fifteen minutes and they’d clear the intersection, Sgt. Matt Inocencio told us of the agreement. But two demonstrators made a stand and sat down on the street when time was up. Cops later took them away. According to Sgt. Chuck Limbert at the Mission police station, the two demonstrators were cited and released. They have been ordered to appear in court next month.
Limbert said that reports indicate that it was overall a peaceful demonstration. Despite the minor incident, the rally continued on the street corner next to the Bank of America. Organizer Ragina Johnson said that on the whole the rally had a “good turnout.”
One Struggle, One Fight will meet again at 7 p.m. tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church (1187 Franklin Street) to further discuss the equality issue.
digg •
del.icio.us •
sphere •
google
•
Comments (2)
Did miss something? Does Obama support same sex marriage? After Prop 8 and Question 1, do you think he is more likely to?
Rule 1 of successful organizers: blame the people for not following you.
Apathetic and complacent to the equality issue?
How many LGBT in D8 are unaware of the Maine vote?
Why would you say that politically sophisticated people like D8 residents are complacent when they know that protesting against a wall about a vote of the people just makes us look like weak victims, pathetic homosexuals?
Protest has to have a connection to a demand, and there is no ask there other than diffuse raging. Take that shit to the therapist, as the way that "the equality issue" has been allowed to play out by "our side" has already done enough damage.
If the people lead, will the leaders follow or will the leaders shoot them?
-marc
Posted by marcos | November 6, 2009 10:56 PM
This week's South Park, "The F Word," nails the essence of this kind of faggy protest:
Lead Biker: Hooo! We were definitely turnin' some heads out there.
Biker 3: Yeah!
Biker 2: I was pullin' back on that throttle, and everybody was like, "What is that??"
Biker 4: Fer sure!
Biker 3: Yeah.
Biker 5: Hey- hey, nobody here is really paying attention to us.
Lead Biker: That's weird. [clears his throat and starts imitating a motorcycle engine. The other bikers follow suit, and a few of the patrons look at them] Oh yeah, that's better.
[The diner's men's room. A biker approaches a urinal, unzips, and gets to work. He looks left, then he looks right, then he clears his throat and revs up with his voice until the patron at right looks at him. He turns to his left and does the same to the patron at left. That patron looks at him. Once he's sure both men are looking at him, he faces forward and finishes urinating.]
[The diner, outside. Its name is Ronny's Diner. The bikers stream out of there and get on their bikes.]
Posted by marcos![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/nav-commenters.gif)
|
November 7, 2009 02:48 PM