Prop. 8 opponents rally across California to protest gay-marriage ban:
Expressing anger, disappointment and humor, thousands of gay-rights advocates marched across the state and nation Saturday in largely peaceful protests against California's passage of an initiative banning same-sex marriage.See also
In Los Angeles, protesters clustered shoulder to shoulder near City Hall before setting off on a downtown march, chanting and carrying rainbow flags and signs bearing messages such as "No More Mr. Nice Gay" and "No on Hate."
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The Los Angeles Police Department estimated that 10,000 to 12,000 people attended the event, well below the 40,000 the department had expected.
Still, demonstrators called the event a success, noting that participants had been galvanized by a loosely organized grass-roots campaign that sprang up after the Nov. 4 election.
"Considering it started on Facebook and became as organized as it was, it's pretty amazing," said Dave Coleman, 43.
A representative of the Proposition 8 campaign said the protests would have little effect. "They can protest all they like, and it doesn't change the fact that Prop. 8 has passed and the election is now over," said Frank Schubert, manager for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.
In San Francisco, a crowd estimated by police at 7,500 converged on the city's civic center, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Milk," a reference to the county's first openly gay supervisor, Harvey Milk, who was assassinated 30 years ago.
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Demonstrators also gathered in Boston, New York and other cities across the nation, the Associated Press reported.
Across California, the rallies took on a carnival-like atmosphere. About 200 protesters gathered at Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza. In Sacramento, police estimated that 1,500 marched peacefully on the Capitol…. (LA Times)
Bay Area demonstrations condemn Prop. 8 (San Francisco Chronicle)
Emotion swells at Prop. 8 protest (Oakland Tribune)
Wealthy gay men backed anti-Prop. 8 effort (San Francisco Chronicle)
