A police officer interviewed in this story pegged the crowd at 1,000 -- ABC 6's Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis sees this as a sign that the people of Rhode Island want to protect marriage:
Hundreds of opponents of same sex marriage rallied in the [Rhode Island] Statehouse rotunda, led by clergy members who say gay marriage is wrong.
Hundreds more lined up outside the Committee room, many hoping to testify.
Bilma Delcompare, an opponent of same sex marriage said, "Because God established a man and a woman, only."
Luis Hernandez, another opponent of gay marriage said, "It's should be defined man and woman. Man and woman."
At its peak, one police officer estimated the hall way crowd at one thousand people.
ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said, "The large numbers of people who turned out here in opposition, are probably a strong indicator of why supporters of same gender marriage want to see this done by the General Assembly, and not by voters in a ballot initiative." (ABC 6)
Watch the ABC 6 video of the pro-marriage crowds:
Learn more at www.RIformarriage.com.
13 Comments
How many in the hall and outside the rotunda were there to support marriage equality? Pics?
This is fantastic!
Hey legislators, are you paying attention?
Can't say I'm dissappointed with the turn out, but I can't stand that none of the big name conservatives are out there trying to rally people against the de-gendering of society.
Marriage Is A Convenant Between 1 Man, 1 Woman & God!
God Established Marriage, So HE Makes The Rules!
It Is NOT Hatespeech To Stand For What You Believe......I Believe What The BIBLE Says!!
As Far As Marriage Equality....Turn To God, Turn Away From Same Sex Balony, Then Get Married;
DO IT GOD'S WAY OR NOT AT ALL!!!!!!
SSm is not about being conservative. Conservative sounds like we don't accept improvements.
Conservative means we conserve what is good and change what is bad. SSm is not 'good' for society. It's only good for some individuals who have managed to convince others to be superficial about it, because supposedly it won't affect them.
SSm is also not about political parties, since it is as important as the fiscal problems that abound. Countering SSm is handled by the average person who gradually sees the folly in the SSm arguments and say "very tricky, very tricky indeed. . ."
@Thom - please stop using the word "marriage equality", because it's not.
The distorted marriage view is against nature and contradicts everything the Holy scriptures teach.
No one has a right to tell me who I can marry. This is America and a free country. If you don't agree with gay marriage don't marry into a gay relationship. But God gave us free will and this is a free country. Don't tell someone else who they can or can't marry. Period
Wow, Im pleasantly surprised: nowadays we only ever seem to hear bad news from New England. Perhaps Rhode Island is the rose amongst thorns and much more civilised compared to others like Maine, Vermont and Connecticut. I would urge lawmakers to vote no to the bill but vote yes to allowing a referendum
Freedom88- You can 'marry' whomever you wish. However, when you ask the state to provide you with services and benefits based upon your definition of what marriage is, that is where the rest of us draw the line. Be married in your own minds, not in ours.
I'm just baffled at the ignorance of "marriage equality " for all , doesn't the left and pro gay marriage proponents understand the can of worms this would open? We would have to legalize incest marriage , polygamy , and a slew of other things ! You can re-define what GOD already defined! He create them male and female . The two become one flesh! Male on male female on female can NEVER create anything !
Freedom88 - Go ahead and get married then. Just don't expect the state to recognize the relationship. Feel free to be married in your own mind, and leave the rest of us alone.
Re nr. 8.
Most of us are libertarian enough not to care if you want to have some sort of relationship with someone else. We do care when marriage is redefined and marriage law is degendered, eliminating not only husband and wife, but father and mother from culture and the law and replacing them with partner 1 and partner 2 and parent 1 and parent 2.
If you were truly for freedom you would object to the inevitable lawsuits directed against those who claim the freedom not to recognize a redefined marriage.
If you were truly for freedom you would be pushing for polygamy, too, recognizing partner 3 and parent 3, etc.