Albee Kuminova
2004-07-01 21:52:56 UTC
From KATU and the AP
SALEM, ORE. - Backers of a ban on gay marriage turned in more than
244,000 signatures Wednesday to place the issue before Oregon voters
this fall.
It was twice the number needed and the highest number of signatures ever
submitted for an initiative measure in Oregon.
Several dozen members of the Defense of Marriage Coalition traveled to
the Capitol to turn in boxes of signatures to the Secretary of State and
to publicly kick off the fall campaign.
Standing with other coalition members on the front steps of the Capitol,
campaign spokesman Tim Nashif drew cheers from the others when he
announced that 244,587 signatures had been collected.
"That was just in five weeks," Nashif said, referring to the
late-starting signature drive that drew heavily on support from churches
and individual volunteers across the state.
While the signatures still must be verified by the state, both sides
said the large turn-in all but assures that the Oregon voters will be
called upon to decide the contentious social issue this fall.
Basic Rights Oregon, the state's leading gay rights group, said it will
launch a statewide campaign to defeat the measure.
"While it is disappointing that the measure is likely to be on the
November ballot, we are committed to defending the thousands of
Oregonians who would be profoundly harmed by a loss of equal marriage
protections and responsibilities," said Roey Thorpe, the group's
director.
From KATU and the AP
*******************************************************************************************
IMO, the number of signatures turned in in so short a time says much. I
just wonder how down and dirty the homosexuals will get in the campaign.
How about their lie about folks at a food bank being forced to sign a
petition to get food? When the truth came out the homosexuals choked on
it. What part of "keep in in the bedroom" can't they understand? If I
get a chance to vote gay marriage down I know how I will vote. What
about you?
SALEM, ORE. - Backers of a ban on gay marriage turned in more than
244,000 signatures Wednesday to place the issue before Oregon voters
this fall.
It was twice the number needed and the highest number of signatures ever
submitted for an initiative measure in Oregon.
Several dozen members of the Defense of Marriage Coalition traveled to
the Capitol to turn in boxes of signatures to the Secretary of State and
to publicly kick off the fall campaign.
Standing with other coalition members on the front steps of the Capitol,
campaign spokesman Tim Nashif drew cheers from the others when he
announced that 244,587 signatures had been collected.
"That was just in five weeks," Nashif said, referring to the
late-starting signature drive that drew heavily on support from churches
and individual volunteers across the state.
While the signatures still must be verified by the state, both sides
said the large turn-in all but assures that the Oregon voters will be
called upon to decide the contentious social issue this fall.
Basic Rights Oregon, the state's leading gay rights group, said it will
launch a statewide campaign to defeat the measure.
"While it is disappointing that the measure is likely to be on the
November ballot, we are committed to defending the thousands of
Oregonians who would be profoundly harmed by a loss of equal marriage
protections and responsibilities," said Roey Thorpe, the group's
director.
From KATU and the AP
*******************************************************************************************
IMO, the number of signatures turned in in so short a time says much. I
just wonder how down and dirty the homosexuals will get in the campaign.
How about their lie about folks at a food bank being forced to sign a
petition to get food? When the truth came out the homosexuals choked on
it. What part of "keep in in the bedroom" can't they understand? If I
get a chance to vote gay marriage down I know how I will vote. What
about you?