I've had to get up early to catch the bus to downtown Los Angeles many times this month for jury duty. On Saturday morning 11/15/08, I did it again but this time it was for love and civil rights. I got there pretty early so I stopped at Starbucks which began to fill up with fellow protesters. Luckily I got there early enough that I didn't have to wait in the long line that stretched out the door. I brought out the duct tape and assembled my signs then headed to the crowd in front of the stage. I wasn't too far back but I still couldn't see anything because everyone was holding up their signs.
Mayor Villaraigosa came to City Hall from the wildfires to speak to us and did a fantastic job. Marissa Jaret Winokur, Ricki Lake, and Lucy Lawless were also amongst the speakers there that morning. One of the highlights was when a young woman talked to us about her two gay parents and said that her mother was concerned about her attending the rally because protests can often times be dangerous. Whenever I tell my own mother that I am going to a protest she always tells me to be careful and to not get arrested so I can relate. The young woman concluded her speech with "They're trying to take her rights away but she doesn't want her baby to get a black eye. Now that's a mom."
There were several other speakers but the crowd became impatient and started chanting "march march march" and so we marched! I brought a Hot Topic bag full of candy to hand out to nearby marchers. I was happy to see so many parents bring their young children to the rally. I also saw the nice couple that I chatted with at the start of the WeHo protest. We ended up walking on a dirt road with dust rising all over the place which is why I went home covered in dirt. After the morning march we all headed back to where we started from. We stood on overpasses and waved signs to cars honking on the freeway. The L.A.P.D were very good to us and we appreciate their help and protection very much. I gave some of them candy.
Then there was a spur of the moment 7 mile march all the way to Hollywood/Highland. About a quarter of the way there I could barely walk straight and I was falling way behind. Then a guy named Victor passed by and was nice enough to give me water and carry my backpack for me. The blisters on my feet were hurting pretty bad but we caught up to the rest of the marchers and made it all the way to Hollywood/Highland. The crowd walked in a circle, sang the National Anthem, then sat down in the middle of the intersection for 30 minutes. Some people got up to speak to everyone including a little boy named Juan who's mother is a lesbian, a guy with an amazing voice who sang a little bit of "True Colors", and a man who simply asked for a moment of silence for Harvey Milk.
Victor & I
It was an empowering experience. I arrived home and quickly hobbled to the bathroom to soak my blisters and wash the layer of dirt off of me yet still I was and am ever so thankful to have been a part of that day. I am ready for the next one. And the one after that. And after that. I am moving to Hawaii this year on December 10 but even from Hawaii, I will still try to do everything in my power to bring awareness to this heartbreaking injustice until this country can once again be called "the land of the free".I TOOK SOME VIDEO, WATCH IT HERE!
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