A coordinated, nationwide protest against the Nov. 4 passage of California's controversial Proposition 8 began Saturday and included a large, boisterous crowd in downtown Sacramento.
About 1,500 people were gathered across from Sacramento City Hall at Ninth and I Streets for a rally in Cesar Chavez Park. Participants carried signs and listened to speakers railing against Prop. 8.
Enrique Manjarrez, youth coordinator for the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, applauded the group for being so active in opposition after Prop. 8 passed.
"I saw even more energy, I saw even more youth," he said. "My message is get involved. We will get our rights back."
Among those in attendance supporting the anti-Prop. 8 effort were Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon.
A handful of those opposing the gathering stood across the street.
Prop. 8, the ban on same-sex marriage, garnered 52 percent of the vote. Since then, protests have been held on street corners and scattered incidents of vandalism have been reported.
Gays and lesbians say they consider Prop. 8 state-sanctioned discrimination. Opponents of the initiative have targeted businesses and people who contributed money to the "yes" on Prop. 8 campaign.
California anti-Prop 8 gatherings also are being held in Chico, San Francisco, Irvine, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Jose and San Diego. Protests were planned nationwide in 300 cities as well, with 1 million expected to participate, organizers said.
Supporters of Prop. 8 are frustrated because even though they won on Nov. 4, they've had to continue defending their position.
Leaders of the Prop. 8 campaign are scheduled to speak at a Santa Ana hotel today about what they term harassment against supporters of the measure. Participants are expected to be Ron Prentice, chairman of Yes on 8, and campaign manager Frank Schubert and representatives of religious groups.
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