San Jose - Civic and community leaders spoke at a small rally to defeat proposition 8 at San Jose City Hall.
If the initiative passes on November 4th, it would define marriage in California as being between a man and a woman and not allowing for the recognition of same-sex marriages.
Civic leaders like Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Sally Lieber spoke during the rally. Lofgren mentioned that she and her husband had just recently celebrated their 30th anniversary and said she wouldn't want to deny anyone that right.
They were joined by several members of the San Jose City Council, including Judy Chirco, Kansen Chu, Dave Cortese, Forrest Williams and Sam Liccardo.
Wiggsy Sivertsen is with the local No on 8 campaign and she said this campaign is different from when Prop 22 passed overwhelmingly to ban same-sex marriage in 2000. She says that the gay community didn't put that much effort into opposing the measure then because they felt that it was an issue for the courts to decide. However, supporters of Prop 8 say the courts have nullified the will of the people and that same-sex rights could not survive the democratic process.
Proponents of the ban held rallies in Oakland and Salinas as they try to shore up support among African-Americans and Latinos, who they believe are conservative when it comes to family issues.
San Jose - Civic and community leaders spoke at a small rally to defeat proposition 8 at San Jose City Hall.
