Jewish Community Represented At Prop. 8 Demonstration

[IndianaGreen]

Jewish Community Represented At Prop. 8 Demonstration

This Saturday, Nov. 15, citizens of St. Louis and the surrounding region will gather together on the steps of the Old Courthouse in a display of protest against the denial of equal marriage rights to all Americans in regards to the recent outcome of Proposition 8 in California. Speakers will include: Sen. Joan Bray, Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Karen Aroesty with ADL/Hate Crimes Task Force, and Lewis Reed, president St. Louis City Board of Alderman.

Saturday’s demonstration is a part of nationwide protests which are aimed at pressuring the California Supreme Court to reaffirm its earlier decision and restore the state’s reputation as a beacon for progressives elsewhere. About Proposition 8: Proposition 8 was a ballot proposition that would amend the California state constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. It would overturn a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right.

Local organizer Ed Reggi explains his reason for heading up the demonstration “When I saw the protests and marches popping up in California shortly after the November 4th election, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Why? How? There was a sense of betrayal and then a sense of complete fear -- fear that if California can rewrite its Constitution to specifically target gays and lesbians then whose civil rights could be next?

“The protest for our St. Louis community is different. Missouri already rewrote its Constitution to define marriage between a man and a woman. We are used to the difficulty of reaching across and mending differences. So perhaps for us, the support of Prop 8 in California isn't such a big deal; but when we see the energy emerging from this defeat there is a message of hope. People all across Missouri are planning to attend this protest. I think out of our fears we are finding a security standing together. Standing together in solidarity to fight for equality for not only our LGBTQ community but equal rights for everyone.”

http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/page.aspx?id=188227

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yay Jews!!!

[Swamp Rat]

2. k&r

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

3. Shalom (peace) indeed!

[BlueCaliDem]

4. The Jewish people are so, so AWESOME! I have yet to see another faith

come even close to the Jewish propensity for tolerance, understanding, compassion and strong sense of duty even for those beyond their own faith.

[rockymountaindem]

5. Thanks!

I can't take credit for all that personally though :)