Amendment Protest

by Greg Valiga

A contingent of local activists twice picketed the Erie office of US Senator Rick Santorum on June 5 to protest the federal Marriage Protection Amendment.

Organized by Doris Cipolla and supported by individuals from a handful of local organizations including Pax Christi, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie, and the Green Party, the event was scheduled to coincide with debate and a vote on the resolution by the US Senate. The Senate later failed to shut off debate on the amendment by a 49-48 vote; 60 votes were needed for an actual vote on the amendment. PA Senator Arlen Specter voted against limiting debate, a change from his last vote on the amendment and a victory for state LGBT activists.

Longtime peace and rights enthusiast Cipolla stated that she was motivated by the national publicity surrounding the Marriage Protection Amendment which intensified in the days preceding the protests. Hearing negative comments by Senator Santorum regarding same-sex relationships sparked her action. "We had to offer a presence, especially with Santorum and his comments," Cipolla stated. "This amendment would ban our access to gain rights."

The protests appeared to successfully gain the attention of local media and passing motorists. The afternoon protest—drawing about 25 individuals and double that of the morning event_was described as uplifting and empowering. Activists held signs and inked their names to a list stating their opposition to the amendment which was presented to aides in the Senator's office.

Cipolla said the event "went quite well" and was particularly impressed with the response considering her decision to organize occurred less than a week prior to the protests. Her objectives of signing up allies and supporters to demonstrate and recruiting leaders from supportive organizations for media interviews were successfully met.

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Photos

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