Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Race to the Ballots comes to Rocky Mount

by James Smith and David Cappel.

Tonight a few small groups united for the same cause, to fight against the upcoming “Amendment 1” ballot initiative. The meet up was hosted by Rocky Mount’s local chapter of Pflag and UU Church.

It began with a social time while waiting for Jen and her entourage to arrive. The meeting started with the usual Pflag agenda and introductions. They briefly touched on their group business and afterward an invitation to attend their first major fund-raiser (the not the official name) called “Jimmy Creech event,” then the first guest speaker took the podium.

Jake Gellar-Goad, from Democracy NC had come from Durham to share his’ group upcoming events, and to show his support of Equality NC and his opposition to Amendment 1. Short and very to the point he turned the podium over the Jen Jones of ENC and Race to the Ballot runner.

She is putting a face to the NC equality movement. She has drive and ambition that is unequaled. She is risking permanent knee damage—for her cause.

Jen began with definition of the defense of Marriage Act and how that same definition not only affects us but would affect others in future battles with NC Legislative. She already anticipates some of the pitfalls ahead if the Amendment passes. But like she says “if I can get my mother to understand and vote no on this Amendment—then any of us should be able to talk others about it. If you leave this place and talk to ten people—by the time May 8th comes around—voters will understand what this Amendment is really about and vote against it or if nothing else ,not vote for it.”

There was some Q&A; one lady asking if would be beneficial to seek a Resolution Opposing the Amendment from the Rocky Mount City Council. Another person ask, “if we did vote down this amendment and got the marriage law over turn, could the Legislature bring up another type of Amendment to block Same-sex Marriage again? She reply “that they, but doubt if they would have resources to get it past.”

Slide show below

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