The View From Your Protest: Los Angeles

A reader writes:

I just got back from the LA protest. It was amazing. The protest was very well organized. The mayor showed up, the head of the local chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Council gave a great speech, Lucy Lawless gave a speech (c'mon, you have to love that)---all-in-all, I was struck by how positive everyone was. I mean, people were clearly against Prop 8, but there was a real sense that change was going to come, and that we were going to be the ones to make it happen. I left feeling much, much better than I had when I came there.

What's more, I have a great story for you.

One of my co-workers, who is Indian and gay, met me there (I, on the other hand, am white and straight---gotta love this country). He told me that when he was parking, he tried to ask the parking attendent for directions. At first, she was very cold, but upon realizing he wanted to attend the protest, she became incredibly friendly and excited, and gave him great directions. After the rally, we decided to get lunch, and I went with him to his car, and on the way out, the parking attendent remembered him, and asked him all about the rally. She was excited to see so many people out protesting.

She was African American. It was a good reminder that there are people who understand in every community.