Prop 8 protests: 13K in L.A., 10K in San Diego

by: Pam Spaulding

Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 08:37:11 AM EST

Some 13,000 protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles’ Silver Lake district Saturday evening, as large demonstrations continued across the state against Proposition 8, the ballot measure that amended the California Constitution on Nov. 4 to re-ban same-sex marriage.The L.A. action started at Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards and traversed Santa Monica, Vermont Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, closing down Sunset and messing up traffic in the area for about two hours.

In Hillcrest — “the homosexual stronghold of San Diego” according to James Hartline —  nearly 10,000 marched, according to Rex (photos by Fergal O’Doherty):

 Gay street actions of this size are unheard-of in San Diego, apart from Pride, which draws around 150,000 people to Hillcrest each July.

Mike Tidmus also covered the march in San Diego. Photo by Mike.

Bearing No-on-Prop-8 signs, flags and banners, the marchers assembled in the gay-friendly Hillcrest neighborhood, noisily walked to North Park, and then attended a post-march rally in nearby Balboa Park. The colorful march drew gay rights activists, supporters and pets. Motorists and bystanders along the route wildly honked and cheered.Unlike last night’s protest marches in San Francisco and Long Beach, there were no reports of arrests or problems.

Blender Adria Stephanchick also attended at the San Diego rally as well and sent in photos: 

Prop 8 news and opinion items are below the fold.