Tens of thousands demand ‘Overturn Prop. 8’ in Southern California

On May 26, the day that the California Supreme Court announced its 6-to-1 ruling upholding Prop. 8, tens of thousands of people hit the streets of Los Angeles and Long Beach to demand LGBT equality now. The biggest march was a march from West Hollywood to Hollywood, which drew from 10,000 to 15,000 people.

Defeat Prop. 8 in the streets!

In the weeks leading up to the decision, the Party for Socialism and Liberation worked with LGBT organizations to build response actions to the ruling. Southern California’s day of protest kicked off with a rally of several hundred outside the L.A. County Recorder’s office in East Los Angeles. This rally was significant because East L.A. is a traditionally Latino area that is rarely the focus of the LGBT movement. The rally was organized by the Latino Equality Alliance. The PSL and ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) worked with LEA to build the action.

Maria Elena Durazo, executive director of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, spoke strongly about uniting the struggle for marriage equality with the fight for union rights. Robin Tyler, a long-time lesbian activist, also spoke. She highlighted the need for a struggle-oriented movement. Tyler said that it was time for the LGBT movement to “break” with the Democratic Party.

That night, just 30 minutes from L.A. in Long Beach, the PSL also protested for marriage equality. A crowd of nearly 3,000 people marched down Broadway Avenue to a rally in Bixby Park. PSL members did outreach and helped lead militant chants: “Our civil rights are under attack! What do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” The march brought the Long Beach community to life, ready for equality now and real, lasting change.

At the same time, many other PSL members joined the march in West Hollywood. The event started with a rally, which included speakers from the LGBT community, along with politicians and celebrities. But the real action started with the four-mile march that followed. Protesters were justifiably angry and ready to fight back. It was a multinational and very youthful crowd. Chants like, “Gay-straight, Black-white—marriage is a civil right!” rang out loud through the packed streets. When the march reached L.A.’s busiest street corner, Hollywood and Highland, the protesters shut down the entire block.

Participants in the massive day of action understand that the fight for LGBT equality must continue. Some groups are calling for a 2010 ballot measure to overturn Prop. 8. That may be necessary, but even more urgent is keeping the struggle in the streets and building alliances through common work to reach our common goals.

Overturn 8! Same-sex marriage rights now!