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Urgent Call for Public Comment as to Why Prop 8 Trial Should be Televised

Posted by Melanie Nathan:

Here is a letter that many more of you may have received. Please pursue this. If we make a big noise about televising it, it may well happen. If we are silent we will be forgotten.  People and Oraganizations make your voice heard asap.  An important factor is that this trial involves one where the rights of LGBT community was brought into the public through a Public vote. Those who oppose TV cite fear as a reason and have threatened not to show up as witnesses. I do not believe that the Judge should negate our rights to view, simply because those who voted for Prop 8 are now cowardly afraid to be seen.   If you can take my rights from me- try to justify it to the Court and while you are about it, let me see your face.

“Dear Melanie,

This is extremely urgent and extremely important.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker — who will be overseeing a federal court challenge to Prop 8 starting this Monday (January 11) — is considering whether or not to open the court room to TV cameras.

The court just announced that it is seeking public comment on the proposal to televise the trial — and that all comments must be submitted to the court by a Friday deadline.

The interest in this case is unprecedented. And not surprisingly, supporters of Prop 8 — who eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry — do NOT want the trial to be televised.

Opponents of Prop 8 — led by attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson — are seeking to televise the case in the interests of full transparency. They want this historic trial to be watched by as many Americans as possible. And, of course, we agree.

We have just this one chance to make our voices heard — thousands of Americans calling for equality, transparency and accountability. That’s why we’re teaming up with CREDO Action to collect as many signatures as possible asking Judge Walker to televise the case. We need your signature now:

SIGNATURE DEADLINE: FRIDAY 9 a.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TeleviseTheTrial

Together, along with our friends at CREDO, we will hand-deliver your signatures to Judge Vaughn Walker on Friday before the deadline.

This case presents issues that are very important to the public, and will affect millions of people. However, if the case is not televised, only a tiny fraction will ever be able to watch the trial in person.

By televising the trial, the public will be able to see for themselves the arguments and evidence presented by both sides, and will therefore have more confidence in the outcome of the trial.

That’s why we think the Prop 8 court case should be televised and we’re collecting as many signatures as possible to submit to Judge Vaughn Walker. Click here to sign now and say “YES — the Prop 8 trial should be televised.” SIGNATURE DEADLINE: FRIDAY 9 a.m.:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TeleviseTheTrial

If you know other people who believe the Prop 8 trial should be televised as well, please forward this message to them ASAP.

Thank you so much for making your voice heard at this critical time. We will update you as soon as further news develops.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign Institute   “

Thanks Courage Campaign for having the Courage and keeping us on our toes.

Melanie Nathan
Blogger
Nathan@privatecourts.com / www.oblogdeeoblogda,wordpress.com
 

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