Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times
The anger over the passage of a bitterly fought California proposition denying marriage to gay couples has spilled into the streets of several communities in the Southland. Thousands of opponents of Proposition 8 began protesting Wednesday night, when it became clear the measure had passed 52 percent to 48 percent in Tuesday’s election.
Last night, the marches were in West Hollywood and Westwood, where the protesters targeted the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Boulevard. Some gay-rights activists are accusing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of helping bankroll the yes-on-Proposition 8 campaign to the tune of as much as $20 million. This demonstration started in the afternoon and continued late into the evening. There was a confrontation between both sides of the issue and some violence that resulted in at least two arrests. Later, another smaller and more peaceful, protest kicked off in West Hollywood.
Another anti-Proposition 8 demonstration is planned for tonight in Long Beach and others through the weekend. Meanwhile, legal challenges to the proposition were filed this week as well. This is the second time California voters have approved a ban on same-sex marriage. Last time, the State Supreme Court struck down that ban. Now, many expect the debate to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
