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Prop 8 Trial URGENT UPDATE: Despite Cameras Approved – we need more signatures

Posted by: Lez Get Real on January 6, 2010.

From a San Jose Mercury News article:
“Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker approved court-operated cameras in his courtroom for delayed release on YouTube, but rejected a bid by media organizations to televise the proceedings themselves for live broadcast.” This decision is NOT final: Judge Walker is leaving the public comment period open until Friday, pending a ruling on his decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Courage Campaign:

“Yesterday, we asked you to respond to Judge Vaughn Walker’s request for public comment on potentially televising the Prop 8 federal trial that starts Monday. In less than 24 hours, an amazing 103,841people have signed the letter from the Courage Campaign Institute and CREDO Action.

We need your support, now more than ever.

Despite Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling below (please read on), right-wing groups like the National Organization for Marriage and Focus on the Family are gathering signatures to stop any broadcast of the Prop 8 trial.

GOAL: 125,000 signatures. DEADLINE: Friday 9 AM:

If you have already signed, please click here to post this to your profile:

http://bit.ly/TeleviseTheProp8Trial

If not, click the link below to sign our letter insisting the trial be open to the public.

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TeleviseTheTrial

The news is spreading like wildfire. And it’s both good and bad.

From a San Jose Mercury News article:
“Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker approved court-operated cameras in his courtroom for delayed release on YouTube, but rejected a bid by media organizations to televise the proceedings themselves for live broadcast.” This decision is NOT final: Judge Walker is leaving the public comment period open until Friday, pending a ruling on his decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

While we are pleased that the trial may be on a delayed broadcast via YouTube at least, our call for full transparency — a televised broadcast that network news and cable channels can pick up live, as it happens — has not been met.

And, it’s entirely possible that the 9th Circuit Appeals Court may overrule Judge Walker’s ruling, shutting down all broadcasting — even a delayed daily YouTube broadcast. Lawyers representing supporters of Prop. 8 have already opposed broadcasting the trial in any form whatsoever and are likely to fight Walker’s ruling.

Millions of lives across America will be affected by this federal trial challenging Prop 8. That’s why more than 100,000 people have already signed our letter asking for a televised trial. To keep up the pressure before the public comment period closes on Friday, please sign here now:

GOAL: 125,000 signatures. DEADLINE: Friday 9 AM:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TeleviseTheTrial

With right-wing religious groups like NOM and Focus on the Family organizing against televising the trial, we need as many signatures on this letter as possible.

If you know other people who believe the Prop 8 trial should be televised so that as many people as possible can see it, please forward this message to them ASAP.

Thank you so much for your incredible response to this critical action. We will update you again as soon as news breaks.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign Institute

The Courage Campaign Institute is part of the Courage Campaign’s online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots supporters to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country.

Posted by Melanie Nathan;