Chicago Against Proposition 8

4:00 PM - Wow you guys. Just. WOW. We are beyond amazed. This update is short but sweet because of how busy we are with post-protest mayhem, but please check back within the next day or two for more. For now, keep sending in your media! Photos, links and videos to Missy.

Check out outloud.tv for complete protest coverage!! Join and post your own.

5:00 PM - An excellent point was made by Patrick earlier today. He got this from the Join The Impact site: "Make sure you don't bring anything that would be considered a weapon - I know this sounds like common sense, but few people realize that the sticks they use for their signs have to be no thicker than 1/4″ or else they are considered a weapon."

SO! Don't bring any signs w/ posts too thick or the cops can and might take them away!

2:00 PM - One more sign painting party to add to the list. This one's tomorrow, check the event details page for more info.

We made NBC's website! Check it out here. We're getting tons of hits on this site from their link.

The press has been estimating there will be about 10,000 people there. This is amazing you guys. Thank you for spreading the word, and please continue to do so!

4:00 PM - New sign painting party location added! Spyner's Pub on Western! Thanks to Jolynn for setting this up! Check the event details page for more info!

1:30 PM - Our line up of speakers is starting to solidify and we've found an mc! Add all that to the addition of the Lakeside Pride Freedom Band and we're gonna have one amazing protest!! Keep spreading the good word, guys, you're doing a great job. Through our media outreach we've already had a couple interviews and are now featured on http://chicagoist.com, which has already led to a spike in web hits! Look for Corrine and Andy to appear on CLTV tomorrow night at 6:30pm. Who knows what's next? WGN? NBC? My phone line is open!

Also, I was just contacted by a protestor from California who made a very long point that I'll sum up for you because I think there is some validity in it. He mentioned that all of the rainbow imagery is really making this appear as if it's only a gay rights issue, whereas American flags and red, white, and blue could make it look like more of an American civil rights issue, which it is. So while I don't agree that there should be no rainbows, I do agree that we should try and bring out a lot of American flags, and try to rock the red, white and blue.

9:30 AM - So the website is back up!! Sorry for the issues from yesterday, I don't think we could have ever imagined this site getting so many hits! We're averaging over 100 an hour at this point, it's a great sign!

Speaking of signs, please let me know ASAP if you plan on attending one of the sign parties. Even if it's just a "I'll most likely be there," we're trying to plan out how many materials we need at each site. Room location for the event at the Center is also posted. Many thanks to Patrick Livingston for getting this all set up for us!!

ALSO the sign party at the Logan Square location has been pushed back and hour and will now be from 8-10.

AND - GREAT NEWS! Gay marriage is officially legal in Connecticut! This victory is an excellent reminder of why we are working so hard, why we are doing all of this. We can make a difference and we will! Check out the article here.

4:30 PM - Great news!! Rep. Greg Harris has generously volunteered to donate money for the sign making parties! We'll have enough to make at least 100 good strong signs! Tell all your friends to come out and paint!

2:30 PM - If there is any group or organization planning on heading to the protest together please let me know and I will put your contact info on the event details page. I know there are already 3 marches planned out... no one has to come alone!!

Check the event details page (recently updated) for info about the sign painting parties.

We need someone to be in charge of procuring sign making materials / money for materials!! Any takers?? Please contact Missy or call her at 312.224.5220

We are looking for a way to organize some sort of marching band. Anyone have any ideas? Please contact Missy. I figure at the very least we could get a bunch of people who play instruments together for a rousing rendition of... something awesome. I'll start, I play the alto/ tenor sax (although haven't touched either for 5 years). Anyone else?

Pre-Protest Poster Painting Party - check out the event details page.. for details

*******************UPDATE*****************
Hey everyone,

Thanks to everyone showing such dedication to making this an incredibly moving event. Everyone's efforts, no matter how small, are making the difference and bringing this together.

For those in Chicago who are starting to hit up the streets with flyers and signs, please contact me about which areas you have gone to. I am making a bunch of copies Wednesday morning so I might have some for those who do not have the resources to get any. I have files of fliers already made to make things happen quicker, and if anyone likes the images posted on this group let me know and I'll send you the file (if its already a flier) or turn the image into one. Feel free to do so yourself if you have the time, but if not LET ME KNOW and we'll do it for you.

I have one with four per page that are specifically for handing out to people, and others designed for taping anywhere possible.

Once I have some information about where we've started to hit, I can let others know where to go to make this as efficient as possible.

LETS MAKE HISTORY

Love,
Nik
nmaciejewski@gmail.com

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Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for wanting to be involved. Now that we are over the initial shock and excitement of the massive amount of supporters, we're trying to get as organized as possible.

Many people have voiced their desire to volunteer in any way they can. Right now, our greatest focus is trying to find ways for you to help make the protest as successful as possible.

Volunteers, this is what we need:
- flyers and ads. There are a few already up and ready to be downloaded and printed, but we need more! If someone is willing to format them for printing, that would be very helpful.
- printers, mass copiers, pretty much anyone with access to a printing facility for very cheap or free.
- distributors, people handing out flyers, and local campaigners, so all of Chicago will know TODAY!

If you can help with any or all of those things, please contact Nik Maciejewski at nmaciejewski@gmail.com

We also need volunteers to make signs, banners, and pickets for the protest. An idea was to have a picket sign making site in each neighborhood this week. If you're interested, please contact Missy Lorenzen at eleanorigb@gmail.com.

I'd like a list of people who are interested in speaking, and a list of community organizations and college groups that are planning to attend. We also need help with renting or borrowing a soundsystem and a podium. E-mail me at corrineloveswilco@gmail.com if you're interested, or can help with any of that.

I've talked to a few local college GLTB club leaders, and it sounds like they're all on board and organizing on their own.
PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF YOU KNOW THE CONTACT INFO OF ANY GLBT LEADERS/REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY SCHOOLS IN THE CITY OR STATE so we can make a contact list.

Any questions or suggestions, please DO NOT HESITATE to contact any of the admins.

Peace,
Corrine

For Immediate Release: November 11, 2008

For Information:
Corrine Mina
847.456.1815
corrineloveswilco@gmail.com

Andy Thayer, cofounder, Gay Liberation Network
773.209.1187
LGBTliberation@aol.com

National Day of Protest
Against Proposition 8

80+ Cities, All 50 States Participating in Gay Rights Protests

CHICAGO Following a series of large protests that have hit every major city in California, gay activists using Facebook and other new media have set a national day of simultaneous protests in over 80 cities and all states of the union. Chicago's protest will be at 12:30 PM, Saturday, November 15th at the Federal Plaza, corner of Adams and Dearborn Streets, Chicago. The protests are being coordinated through the website www.jointheimpact.com

Although last Tuesday's vote in California prompted officials in that state to cease issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, it's an open question whether the Supreme Court in that state will confirm the ballot referendum or throw it out. Officially, their decision will probably hinge on a legal technicality whether or not the referendum language broke a vaguely worded provision of the state constitution that says that referenda cannot be overly-broad in the matters they cover.

However, the real reason for the court's decision will probably have much more to do with the amount of protest heat that pro-gay forces can generate outside of the courtrooms. While courts are always loath to admit that public protest influences their decisions, some of the most important progressive decisions have in fact been the direct results of such public protest. A large women's movement in the streets of America made the Nixon-packed, anti-abortion US Supreme Court give us the Roe v. Wade pro choice decision in the 1970s, and during the 1930s, once protests picked up a sufficient head of steam in the middle of the Great Depression, the heretofore conservative court ceased stonewalling President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs.

Saturday's nationwide protests are aimed at pressuring the California Supreme Court to reaffirm its earlier pro-gay decision and restore the state's reputation as a beacon for progressives elsewhere. Also on the agenda is bringing full marriage equality here to Illinois with one party in overwhelming control of every level of state government, this should not be the impossible task that state Democratic Party leaders often present it as being.

For more information about Saturday's protest, email Corrine Mina at corrineloveswilco@gmail.com or Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network (www.GayLiberation.net) at LGBTliberation@aol.com

For information about volunteering please email Nik Maciejewski at nmaciejewski@gmail.com. For all media related inquiries please contact Missy Lorenzen at eleanorigb@gmail.com.

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Editor Please Note: A story and pictures of Chicago's first anti-Prop 8 protest last Saturday night can be view at: http://chicago.indymedia.org

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