April 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Prop 8 Repeal Drive Gears Up:

Californians this week noted the first anniversary of the passage of Proposition 8, which bars same-sex marriage. While the media has been quiet on the issue of late, marriage rights advocates are gearing up for a repeal of the 2008 measure, which overturned a California Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage.

At a gathering of community members held at the Church in Ocean Park on November 6, activists Andy Cabrera and Devin Donner of Restore Equality explained the process that will be taking place over the next year.

Restore Equality is “an umbrella group composed of many other groups,” according to Cabrera. While some marriage rights activists want to wait until the national election year of 2012 to put a new measure on the state ballot, Cabrera said that 2010, with the state elections, would be better. The feeling of Restore Equality members is that even if the measure, once on the ballot, fails with voters in 2010, it will provide a growing momentum toward 2012, if need be. “We just can’t sit around and wait and do nothing until then,” Cabrera added. “Every day that we have to wait is another day of injustice.”

Restore Equality needs to collect 1.2 million signatures by April 16 to qualify for the November 2010 ballot. The signature drive will officially begin this November 16. A draft petition is awaiting approval from the Secretary of State.

What the movement needs is volunteers to gather signatures (Restore Equality is a totally volunteer effort). A series of Town Hall meetings are being held in various areas of Los Angeles, which has been divided into Districts with “hub coordinators.” The Church in Ocean Park’s Reverend Janet McKeithen is also planning to hold meetings at the Church to coordinate and train volunteers.

The goal for Los Angeles County is to collect 300,000 signatures.

“We need 7000 signatures a day,” said Donner, Hub Coordinator for District 4, which includes Santa Monica. “It sounds rather daunting-but I think we can do this.”

Communicating the need for marriage equality is also crucial but it is a separate strategy from signature gathering. “If we can gather enough signatures, we can bring people aboard who are apprehensive,” said Donner.

Cabrera and Donner also discussed the need for “messaging” that is consistent. “The TV ads from the No on 8 campaign were not consistent-the Yes on 8 ads were very consistent,” Cabrera noted. “We are analyzing that data now to make sure we put out a consistent message next time.”

Those who are interested in helping with the Repeal of Prop 8 can contact Restore Equality through Andy Cabrera, Associate District Representative and Field Organizer, 310.903.6360, andy@wlaequality.org, or Santa Monica Hub Coordinator Devin Donner, 310.613.1765, devin.donner@gmail.com. Reverend McKeithen will also be announcing future marriage equality events at the Church.

in News
<>Related Posts

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Hands Off the Phone: SMPD Launches Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

One Text Could Cost You: SMPD Goes Into Heightened Alert in April The Santa Monica Police Department is stepping up...

Board of Supervisors Votes to Break from LAHSA, Create Independent County Homeless Department

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Montalvo Custom Tailors Offers Complimentary Wardrobe Recovery Services to Fire Victims

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Tailoring Confidence: Montalvo Helps Residents Rebuild Wardrobes with Grace Montalvo Custom Tailors, a staple of luxury menswear in Los Angeles...

Caruso Sets Expected Timeline for Palisades Village Reopening: Report

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Caruso recently told a local outlet that bringing life back to the village is essential Palisades Village remains closed in...

County Moves to Clear Fire Debris from Unresponsive Properties

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The County plans to launch additional efforts, using data and community partners to reach roughly 1,000 unresponsive owners The Los...

County Report Finds Malibu School District Proposal Fails to Meet Standards: SMMUSD

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The LACOE feasibility study stems from a 2017 petition by the City of Malibu to form its own school district...

Nonprofit Warns of Heavy Metal Contamination in Santa Monica Bay

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The contamination is linked to storm runoff carrying toxic debris from burned structures and scorched land in the Palisades, Topanga,...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/PUWlOc89JQ For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...

USC Launches Free Soil Testing to Assess Post-Fire Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Residents Can Submit Samples to Check for Lead and Other Toxins A new program led by researchers at the University...

Los Angeles County’s Measure A Raises Sales Tax On April 1, And It’s No Joke

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Malibu Will See Higher Increases Starting April 1, Los Angeles County residents will...

Malibu Schedules Two Key Public Meetings for Wildfire Recovery and Insurance Guidance

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

City Officials to Provide Technical Support and Insurance Market Updates at Two Meetings Malibu residents affected by recent wildfires are...

Santa Monica Launches Public Search for New City Manager

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Nationwide Job Posting Seeks Leader to Guide City’s Future The City of Santa Monica has officially launched a nationwide search...

Palisades Youth Soccer Team Fundraises to Compete in Sweden Tournament

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The team is raising funds through GoFundMe, with donations aimed at covering travel costs, accommodations, and fees A youth soccer...