15,000 protesters in San Francisco over passing of Proposition 8
Live from San Francisco, California
In excess of 15,000 people are marching through San Francisco to protest at the passing of Proposition 8, the voter initiative in California that effectively bans gay marriage have admitted defeat.
With 100% of votes counted, 5,424,916 (52.4%) voted in favour of a constitutional definition of marriage being between a man and woman. 4,832,086 (47.6%) voted against. Some postal and absentee votes have yet to be counted.
The crowds have just left the Civic Centre and are now passing through the Castro district of the city before meeting at a rally in Delores Park.
Organisers said: “We are protesting tonight in San Francisco because it was in San Francisco that the California Supreme Court gave equality to all Californians, and many people who helped us get to that point are based in San Francisco.
“We’re not going to do nothing, we’re going to start with a march tonight but we’re not going to stop until we have equality again!”
Campaigners have begun legal proceedings against the state claiming that the banning of gay marriage is in breach of equality law.
Benjamin Cohen is the founder of PinkNews.co.uk and a Correspondent for Channel 4 News
