REGION: Prop. 8 demonstrations gather crowds

By MANNY LOPEZ - For the North County Times | Sunday, November 2, 2008 1:13 AM PDT

SAN DIEGO ---- With the election just days away, thousands of opponents and supporters of Proposition 8 from across San Diego County participated in two religious gatherings Saturday in efforts to influence voters.

Proponents of the initiative assembled at Qualcomm Stadium for "The Call," clearly the largest of the events. Billed as a divinely initiated, multiracial, multigenerational and cross-denominational gathering for prayer and fasting, the event drew supporters from all over the United States. Unofficial estimates were that more than 20,000 people attended the all-day event.

Across town, opponents of the measure gathered at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral near Balboa Park for an interfaith service titled "Make the Right Call." More than 400 participants along with members of the clergy from throughout San Diego County attended the service.

If approved by California voters, Prop. 8 would overturn a recent state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage by changing the state Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

Minister Beth Johnson of Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista spoke at a press conference held after the service at St. Paul's.

She pointed out that the important thing to keep in mind was that all who attended were there as people of faith to make a statement that God's inclusive love covers all people and that marriage is for all.

San Diego Councilwoman Toni Atkins, who recently married her same-sex partner, was among the participants at St. Paul's

"I think this is a wonderful showing of love, support and equality for all people and that we all should continue to have the right to be married to the person we love," she said afterward.

Atkins said that she appreciated the communities of faith standing strongly on the side of fairness and equality for all."

At Qualcomm Stadium, Pamela Meir of Ramona said, "It's awesome to see the church gathering together and I feel it's very effective in our warfare that we're doing with the upcoming election."

Meir said the vote on Prop. 8 is really all about fighting for our nation.

Valerie Reid said she drove from San Francisco with friends and family to attend The Call.

"We've been fasting and praying for the past month in preparation for this event," Reid said "We expect that God will do really great things for the state of California."

According to published reports, the campaigns for and against Prop. 8 have set a new record by raising more than $60 million through contributions by people all over the United States and more than 20 other countries. Only the presidential campaigns have raised more money.