Close Vote Expected on Marriage Amendment

Large Turnout Needed, Says Mass. Citizens for Marriage

MassNews Staff
June 17, 2002

A close vote is expected on the Protection of Marriage Amendment at the State House this Wednesday, June 19, at 2 p.m.

That is why Citizens for Marriage has called for all citizens to be at the Capital by 1 p.m. on Wednesday to demonstrate their feelings.

"The unanimous decision by the Supreme Judicial Court last week has made it very difficult for any legislator to say with a straight face that this matter should not be sent on to the people for their decision," says Sarah McVay Pawlick, President of Massachusetts Citizens for Marriage.

The Court rebuffed the opponents of the Amendment last Thursday by a 7-0 vote. It refused to stop the Amendment from going to the voters at the election in November 2004. They said it is an appropriate matter for the voters to be deciding.

"Now, the same opponents who lost their lawsuit in the SJC are very desperate and are urging Sen. Birmingham to break the law and violate the Constitution," Pawlick said.

"They want him to throw in the trash the signatures of the over 100,000 citizens who signed the Marriage Petitions last fall. They are proposing that he unlawfully have the measure die in committee without ever having the vote which is required under the Constitution. If he does allow a vote, they hope for some other shady trick."

There is a lot at stake for Birmingham. The largest and most powerful homosexual group in the country is the Human Rights Campaign, which was started by the heir of the Hormel meat company, James Hormel, who was Clinton's ambassador to Luxembourg.
His homosexual organization raised $275,000 from their annual fundraiser in Boston last year to help their $8 million budget. That event drew 1300 people, including Tom Birmingham. With that much money floating around, everyone understands that Birmingham is impressed.

But on the other hand, the Boston Globe, which has publicly pressured Birmingham to act unlawfully, has reported that Birmingham is leaning toward obeying the law.

"That is why we must have a large turnout," says Pawlick. "There is nothing like the spotlight to keep people honest. A democracy is not a spectator sport. We welcome everyone who feels this measure is important to show at the State House on Wednesday."

If anyone needs transportation or other information, they can obtain it by calling Mass. Citizens for Marriage at 781-647-1942.

Spotters are also needed who will follow a Senator or Rep for the day so that MCM can inform the voters where the legislators were in case they do not show for the Constitutional Convention. Those volunteers should also call 781-647-1942.