Prop 8 protestors rally in Northampton

Northampton, Mass.— “Down with Eight,” chanted the crowd of nearly 500 protesters in front of Northampton’s City Hall Saturday afternoon. The drum beating, sign holding, and car honking on Main Street was in protest of California’s Proposition 8 ballot question that recently reversed the marriage rights of same-sex couples.

“It’s not right to give people rights and than take them away,” said Jennifer Kovacs, a sophomore at Mount Holyoke College.

Sparking protests across the nation, Proposition 8 overrode the previous California Supreme Court decision that granted same-sex couples’ marriage rights, now only recognizing marriage between a man and a woman in the California Constitution.

“Marriage is a civil right,” said Sharon Friedaner, career counselor at Hampshire College. “The laws of our country should not be determined by religious beliefs.”

Several religious and conservative groups supported Proposition 8, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a Mormon group; Knights of Columbus, a Catholic conservative group; and Focus on Family, an evangelical group.

Spending by both sides of the issue totaled more than $75 million – more than any other ballot measure this election cycle.

Another Mount Holyoke student, Nikki Chambers, agreed with Kovacs and said, “Who am I to tell someone they can’t marry? It’s about rights. It’s about choice.”

The Raging Grannies, a nonviolent social activism group, set an upbeat tone for the event by leading the crowd in pro-gay rights songs, while Northampton’s openly gay five-term mayor Mary Clare Higgins took part in the sing-along.

Police were on scene to direct traffic around a burgeoning crowd of onlookers as Jeffrey Brunelle of Mass Equality gave the closing remarks, speaking about what it meant to him that Massachusetts, since 2004, has upheld his right to marry his partner.

California same-sex couples have been concerned over the possible annulment of some of the approximately 18,000 same-sex marriages prior to Proposition 8. According to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, the existing marriages will not be affected, but other legal experts said the matter presents challenges.

California’s example has influenced other states like Arizona and Florida to pass similar constitutional amendments. Currently, 30 states have passed bans on same-sex marriage, which is only legal in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

“It’s not really going to a make a difference in California, but the point is to show visibility everywhere,” said Pat Adams, a senior at Deerfield Academy. Adams was one of 25 Deerfield Academy students at the protest.

Bridget Medeiros contributed to this report.