Day of protest against Prop 8
GAY MARRIAGE / Ottawa rally draws small crowd, despite rain
Brent Creelman / National / Saturday, November 15, 2008
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Gay marriage advocates across Canada took part in a day of action on Nov 15 against California's Prop 8, which banned same-sex marriages in that state.

In Ottawa (shown above), a small group gathered at the Human Rights Monument to "show support for our US neighbours," said organizer Charles Cooper. As of Nov 15, 370 people had joined the Facebook group Ottawa against Prop 8, but turnout to the rally was lower — about two dozen protestors as of 1:30pm. The weather in Ottawa was poor, about 10 degrees with heavy rain. The group, organized through Facebook only days ago, planned to march a few blocks to the United States Embassy.

Rallies were also planned for a handful of other Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Jointheimpact.wetpaint.com also listed rallies in Calgary, Halifax and Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.

The day of action follows almost two weeks of protests across the US, since California voted in favour of Prop 8 on Nov 4. Organizers of Join the Impact say rallies were planned in every state for the Nov 15 national protest.

Did you attend a rally against Prop 8 on Nov 15? Why or why not? Share your thoughts and links to pictures or videos.



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Reader Comments


 
JeannieGrrl.Com
I didn't get to go out - my city didn't have anything plus its raining cats and dogs here. I did post about it on my web site and my heart is with every person out today standing for human rights and equality.
jGrrl, Saint John NB
11/15/08 3:25 PM EST
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Canadian Queers Show the Love to US Queers
Between 70-100 of us gathered at about 130pm outside of the US consulate on University Ave. We all had inventive signs such as "H8ed Into Exile", 1st Class Canadian, 2nd Class American", "Focus On Your Own Family", and "If You Don't Like Gay Marriage, Don't Get One!" Being American, I was surprised at how quiet a Canadian protest is but as the afternoon warmed up - from the heart, not the weather - lots of cars honked in support and our determined crowd got bigger and bigger and louder and louder. The police came and moved us off the median and some consulate officer insisted a couple of people stop filming the consulate building. But, other than that, we had a fine, wet day reaching our spirits back across the border and I, for one, am damned proud Canadian queers aren't resting on their laurels! It was funny, though, to watch the faces of passersby which seemed to say, "What the hell do the queers want now?! We've already given them everything they asked for!"
americanrefugee, Toronto ON
11/15/08 9:46 PM EST
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There is heart
I really wanted to attend because I strongly believe that only gay marriage rights are good enough and the Americans helped us get gay marriage rights so we should help them when we can, however, I had made a previous commitment that I could not get out of. My heart and my thoughts were with the protestors and still are. It is hard having to relive all the hateful bigoted lies we had to live through when we fought for gay marriage rights here in Canada, but, we did, finally, win and if our friends down south keep fighting they will win too. As Alex Munter said once "We will win because we have truth on our side" and we do because equality is a truth and anything else but gay marriage rights is not equal.
Mike from Ottawa, Ottawa ON
11/16/08 8:01 PM EST
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