"2, 4, 6, 8 ..." Prop 8 Protestors March and Chant in Downtown Anchorage

About 110 supporters of same-sex marriage protested Prop 8 in front of Sarah Palin's Anchorage office on Saturday, Nov. 15, driving from as far as Seward and Wasilla to participate in southcentral Alaska's Join the Impact rally.

Two men carried signs with photos of their California wedding, and two women brought copies of their marriage certificate. 

The first group of protestors arrived at 9:30 a.m., to coincide with the 10:30 west coast/ 1:30 east coast protests in the nationwide event. The main Anchorage protest began at noon.

"The turnout and energy at the demonstration today was great," said organizer Stef Gingrich. "I thought it really took off when people started marching and chanting. It was very inspiring... we got a lot of good reactions."

The march was spontaneous, perhaps an effort to stay warm in the light snow and hail. The protestors marched from the Atwood Building to Fourth Avenue, carrying a big rainbow flags. They marched through Town Square to the park in front of the old city hall, then took a long detour to the current Anchorage City Hall. They chanted as they walked, and two marchers beat on Eskimo drums. When they returned to the starting point, the protestors set off again on a longer circle.

Several who could not attend sent messages of support, saying they were 'there in spirit.' They hung posters in the windows of their home or car.

We also received a message from Scotland. "A small group in Edinburgh, Scotland march

ed and protested outside the US Consulate General in solidarity with our friends in the US," wrote Rev. Johnathan, former pastor of MCC Anchorage. "Afterwards a few of us had coffee and I shared with them the political climate in Alaska. We are with you!"

Photos and News

Alaska contributed to the nationwide protest, and we have the photos to prove it!

Here is a photo album from Elias: Anchorage Equal Rights Rally/No on Prop 8 Protest, a gallery from Blue-in-AK: Anchorage Proposition 8 protest, a set from Yksin: Protesting Prop 8, Anchorage, AK, 15 Nov 2008 and set from Perpetual Emptiness (aka lilyfluffbottom): Anchorage, AK 11/15/08.

The Anchorage Daily News wrote a story about it, although they underestimated the number of protestors:

"In Anchorage, between 50 and 100 people gathered in front of the downtown Atwood Building holding signs in support of same-sex marriage. Some chanted "Gay, straight, black, white - marriage is an equal right." The group marched to nearby City Hall, then back again to the Atwood Building, which houses many state offices, including the governor's when Sarah Palin is in Anchorage.

"No citizens have the right to vote away other citizen's rights," said organizer Stef Gingrich, in a later phone interview.

"In Fairbanks, about 30 people showed up in below-freezing temperatures and stood in front of City Hall for about 45 minutes, said organizer Kristen Magann."

Both Channel 11 and Channel 2 reported the protest on the local news. (Does anyone have links for these clips?)

Photos of the Fairbanks City Hall protest are posted on the Facebook page Protest Prop 8 in Fairbanks, and the Daily News-Miner has a story.

Our protests were also news outside of Alaska. The Denver Post mentioned both the Anchorage and Fairbanks protests, and the Los Angeles Examiner linked to the ADN story.

Were you there? Share your story of the protest in the comments.

Photo credits: top - Kirt & Roger, middle two - Kristina Vaughan, bottom - Koala. Thanks!