California’s Prop 8 case is back in court today, December 8th. Here’s what will be heard…
Release the Tapes
In the first hour, Ted Olson will argue that the public has a First Amendment right to see video footage of the historic Prop. 8 trial. The District Court has already ruled that the American people have a vested interest in transparent court proceedings, but the Prop. 8 Proponents appealed that decision. They are trying to keep the video under lock and key because they don’t want anyone to know that they failed in court, where reason and facts matter. Also arguing that the tapes should be released is an impressive media coalition comprised of the Associated Press, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, FOX News, NBC News, the Hearst Corporation, Dow Jones & Co., and others.
Motion to Vacate
In the second hour, David Boies will address the Proponents’ offensive motion asking that our District Court victory be vacated because the judge who heard our case is gay and in a long-term relationship. The anti-marriage forces are trying everything they can to get the case thrown out because they know that reason and truth are on our side. This tactic was universally condemned in the media and it took only a day for Chief Judge James Ware to rule against the homophobic motion. We are confident that the appeals court will affirm that being gay has no bearing on a judge’s impartiality, just as courts have historically done with cases involving race, gender and religion.
Hearing to be Broadcast
The court is allowing a live audio broad cast on KQED, a delayed video broadcast on CSPAN and NBC San Diego and has set up remote viewing locations in Pasadena, Portland and Seattle. Everyone will be able to see first-hand the baseless arguments that the Prop. 8 Proponents use to conceal and distract from the real issue: denying gay and lesbian Americans the freedom to marry is unconstitutional.
