Thursday, 4:30 PM
Protestors for, against gay marriage converge on State House
(Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff)
Joshua Johanson demonstrated at the State House today supporting an initiative to ban gay marriage.
(Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff)
Supporters of gay rights protested across the street against the proposed constitutional amendment that would end gay marriage.
By Jonathan Wiggs, Globe Staff, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Protestors on both sides of battle over gay marriage converged on the State House today as lawmakers prepared to consider a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.
The activists gathered on opposite sides of Beacon Street, waving placards and chanting.
At the foot of the State House steps, about 75 to 100 people supporting the ban held signs that read, "One man and one woman = marriage" and “Civil Rights: Let us Vote.” The crowd chanted: “Let the people vote! Let the people vote!”
Across the narrow street, about 75 to 100 people against the ban raised their own signs that read, “Equal rights” and “Stop the hate.” They shouted: “Let the people marry! Let the people marry!”
A handful of police officers monitored the demonstrations, which were peaceful.
Lawmakers are scheduled to begin a Constitutional Convention at 2 p.m. Governor-elect Deval Patrick issued a statement today urging lawmakers to defeat the initiative.
