A Rainbow in November: Protesters take to Federal Plaza to oppose Prop 8

A freezing Saturday afternoon in Chicago and hearty thousands have nonetheless gathered at Federal Plaza to protest California’s passage of Proposition 8.   Bright rainbow-colored flags sprout up from the crowd and too-witty signs litter the space above the protesters’ heads.  “I love Keith Olbermann, “ reads one. “Brigham Young had 100 wives, I only want one,” another.  Although the crowd is clearly incensed by California’s decision to take away a hard-won right (“I’m pissed because this is the first time gay rights have been taken away rather than preemptively banned,” shares one protester), an air of peace and optimism remains dominant.  “We must do what Martin and Ghandi did,” advises a speaker whose voice booms anonymously from the donated sound-system, “and remain peaceful.”  “We love you even if you don’t love us,” says another speaker to the group of Pro-Proposition 8ers who have gathered across the street.  While the crowd borrows tactics from previous civil rights struggles and considers their fight the next installment in a centuries-long war for equal rights, there is something uniquely 2008 about today’s protest. Everybody is here thanks to the Internet.  Join the Impact, a Web site built after the passage of Prop 8 on November 4, has helped organize and spread the word about Prop 8 protests that are happening all over the world today.  “Look what the passage of Prop 8 has motivated,” says native Californian and brand-new Chicago resident Sara Egner. The protest concludes with a seemingly spur-of-the-moment decision to take the show on the road—to “march, march, march” as the crowd has called for.