LAist: Photos from the El Coyote Prop 8 Protest

truthspeaker23

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:29:49 -0800

Hopefully, the Prop 8 issued will be resolved, and California can address the conceived notion by many of the other states, that California is full of dysfunctional and immoral people lacking family values. In a move that puzzled some legal analysts, Justice Joyce L. Kennard, a generally reliable supporter of gay rights, voted to deny review of the Proposition 8 challenges. The court gave no indication of her reasons but said she was willing to hear a separate case on the validity of existing gay marriages The campaign for Proposition 8 also praised the court's action, which granted the campaign the right to argue in favor of the measure. "We see today as a grand slam," said Andy Pugno, general counsel of Protect Marriage.com. "Everything we asked for was granted." Will the No on 8 supporters show up at Justice Joyce Kennard's house and desecrate her walls?

truthspeaker23

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:21:08 -0800

jk77

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:48:47 -0800

I wish "truthspeaker" would just go away already. I can't imagine what an annoying dolt he must be in person. Christ.

greatgatsby2

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:27:51 -0800

hey, truthy- I could play "You're lying and I'm not" all day with you, it'd be tons of fun, but ultimately I want you to go to your room, close the door, and pray to your God. Confess the hate you're spreading. I'm not going to address you again.

truthspeaker23

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:55:15 -0800

To greatgatsby2 It is okay to have an opinion and support a cause, but don't lie. If your friends did not know that their marriage was provisional, then why the rush If they did not know that like Prop 2,2 which was passed, Prop 8 was a ballot initiative for Nov. 4th, then shame on you and the Gay Activist groups for not telling them? I am sure that a lot of them are upset, but a gays did it as a political stance. Nothing wrong with that, but lying about it is just dumb. Just like taking millions from polygamist groups and members of NAMBLA for the No on 8 campaign, might have been a necessity, but don't try to distance yourselves from those groups. They have allied their cause to gain a residual effect from any homosexual politivcal gains.

PantheonZeus

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:32:47 -0800

Here is a link to the California Secretary of State website showing that Marjorie Christoffersen is the agent for service of process for El Coyote: http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C0537943 So Christoffersen is obviously more than “just an employee” of El Coyote. EL COYOTE boyott is still on !! let the straights and haters and supporters of bigotry keep that dump open for another 30 years like Barney's Beanery. If Marjorie had made a $100 donation to the KKK or neo-Nazi's would you comfort her then too? Look to how you are viewing homosexuals...as 2nd class citizens who deserve to have their civil rights taken away.

greatgatsby2

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:35 -0800

truthspeaker! you're back! kisses! Sorry I can't type longer, but I've got to go message my gay friends who got married (as soon as they legally could, because they were so excited to do so, because it was legal and not provisional at the time) that I know they were really doing it as some kind of protest! Glad you caught 'em! And by kisses, I mean "fuck you."

truthspeaker23

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:23:18 -0800

By savvysearch: I thought the number was 18,000. You know the number of people who rushed out and got married to make a political point. The ones who knew that Prop 22 had passed by 61.5% and that protectmarriage.com had already placed a ballot initiaive for Nov. 4th called Prop 8. Nothing sad here, they knew exactly what they were doing. If they wanted to be spared the so-called harm, they would have chosen to wait until Nov. 4th and let the people speak, and confirm marriage as Only a marriage between One man and One woman being valid in California, which passed by 52.5%.

jackjood

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:50:23 -0800

"You don't attack people because they don't agree with you." Exactly, and you don't refuse service to people who walk into your restaurant because they share different beliefs or have a different vision of what a family is. Restaurants used to not serve people who had different shades of skin. The rhetoric of this protest is almost as confused as the Mormon Church! Silliness...

Tom Andrews

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:14:04 -0800

"their"

Tom Andrews

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:09:33 -0800

If you donate $100.00 to a terrorist organization do you think the government will laugh and say it was only $100.00, what harm can $100.00 do? If a "friend" is dumb enough to give money to harm thier friends than that person is not worth having as a friend any longer.

smiplacer

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:22:48 -0800

here's the link to hp article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-derrick/el-coyote-anger-tearsand_b_143981.html

smiplacer

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:22:29 -0800

so i just read an article at huffington post that said that in the past, when one of the patrons died of AIDS, marjorie paid for his mother to fly out. And the article reported that she is the daughter of the real owner. AND, there are lots of gays on the staff. You guys are a joke!!! If anything, she is a friend who did something wrong. this is the BIGGEST misdirection of anger I have ever seen. And did you forget it was for 100 dollars. Following this logic, you guys will never go to another business that employs any workers that supported prop 8. Because, she is the daughter of the owner!!! hahahahahahahahah.

NannyState

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:15:34 -0800

^ Angry fat old man who lives alone in a skid row flophouse. And Marjorie dear, you can always pack up your flea-bitten serapes and cans of tomato sauce and move your wretched dive to Provo. I'm sure the boys choir up there would love your preju-dishes.

Buttpirate4u

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:57:00 -0800

You Sodomites make me Laugh! GAYSTAPO, if anyone fails to see your veiw, well, spraypaint his car, block her way in to a Mormon Church, spit on a Cross Holder, in Palm Springs Demonstration........ Freaking NAZI. And they used to kill you Faggots. Well, good luck trying to strong arm Public opinion. You fag's showing you true colors.................

trojan2002

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:55:50 -0800

Put the shoe on the other foot for a moment. Lets say prop 8 didn't pass. Equal marriage rights continued, would it be ok for the pro 8 crowd to gather at all the locations where known donors of no on 8 are, harass the donors, block intersections. Show up at a GLA hdq all day and night harassing people trying to get in. NO. That would not be ok. There's a way to civilly protest. Having signs, non-profane chants, boycotting restaurants and other businesses that supported Prop 8. Again, what bothers me is that the point of protesting, the goal of equal rights is being lost because the media is only concentrating on the unruly protests. At the end of the day, when the courts will decide, or when we face another vote in 2 years, some of the electorate will be pissed off and be even more against equal rights. MLK didn't attack people, he took the abuse when he protested to make a point. You're the animal for not accepting me and my views, not vice versa. And he prevailed. Smiplacer it's not special rights, IT'S EQUAL RIGHTS. If America will not lead the world to equality then inequality will always exist.

jk77

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:42:32 -0800

To smiplacer who said, "And what is this about rights? you had marriage for like 4 months." How's this for civility: eat a dick, asshole. Do the world a favor, and don't reproduce.

savvysearch

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:17:50 -0800

smiplacer, you don't find it uncivil to take away marriage rights from 16,000 married people? It's sad that it made her cry, but I'm sure a lot of married homosexuals were crying as well on Nov. 4th. It's not a good feeling when other's actions have a direct consequence on your life.

savvysearch

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:12:26 -0800

trojan, taking away marriage rights for others IS "attacking people who don't agree with you."

smiplacer

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:49:14 -0800

How are they uncivil? Mainly because the goal is put 89 families out of work in a bad economy because some old lady donated 100 dollars to a campaign. If she didn't mean for her actions to be hurtful, doesn't it make more sense to explain to her why it hurts, and maybe show her in a respectful way. Making her cry will not help. Cursing at her patrons somehow is going to make her see your side. All this does is make her scared for her business. The thing that gets me the most is that you guys find it incomprehensible that someone could find it difficult to believe that you deserve special rights because of who you like to have sex with. This lady does. I am sure that yelling at her will make her understand. YEAH RIGHT!!!

BingosDingo

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:28:55 -0800

Define attack! Signs, speech and boycotting are all legal. I've yet to hear of any protester touching anyone. How are "No on 8" supporters being un-civil. I'd like specific examples.

trojan2002

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:33:07 -0800

I don't think the protests should stop, they should be NON STOP. At the same time though, there has to be some civility. I understand and believe that those against equal rights, to me allowing for same sex marriage is an equal rights issue, are mostly ignorant and/or intolerant. By attacking individuals, a manager that donated $100 (manager is not the owner), you run the risk of alienating more people, and making the NO on 8 crown look reckless and uncivilized. It doesn't matter what the Yes on 8 crowd is. It's childish to treat someone badly just because they treated you badly. The Nazi killed jews in ovens, should the Yes on 8 crowd be killed the same way? I'd like to believe that being civil is how you get things done, and can get people to understand your view point. I gurantee that right now, 4 out of 5 people don't understand WHY people are protesting. And that's because the protests have been mostly reported as being uncivilized and abusive.

BingosDingo

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:24:15 -0800

trojan2002 "You don't attack people because they don't agree with you." Funny how when the "Yes on 8" crowd claim the right to free speech they routinely try to deny the same right to the "No on 8" crowd. Then again this postion is quite consistent with the support and vote supporting 8. Do as I say not as I do anyone? @sasper "You lost, deal with it, get your message out next time a vote comes around." "Yes on 8" lied and we know it. Deal with it. RyZiggity: "i agree with trojan. The restaurant is going to lose some business from gay clientele but I don't see the point in crucifying someone over their opinion." Interesting choice of words. smiplacer: "This protest is a WASTE OF TIME." Translation: It's working; please stop.

smiplacer

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:41:57 -0800

I don't support gay marriage and never will. I will teach my kids the same thing. There is nothing anyone can say to change my mind. Because I believe this, you think I am a bigot and a hater. I disagree. It is funny that you guys made an old lady cry. That's going to convert tons of people to your side. You guys don't understand that all these protests are preaching to the choir. How is this convincing people to support your cause. Boycotting people who disagreed with you? And once again, she gave 100 dollars. There IS a difference between 100 and 10,000. 100 is paltry sum. I doubt she's even that committed since most of her patrons appear to be gay. This protest is a WASTE OF TIME.

samkim

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:50:59 -0800

what's really funny about all of this is both sides are basically arguing the same thing. and pointing out the same faults about the other side. you know why? we all have the same faults. we are all people. you keep saying that the other side is not going to make any friends/allies with their stupid bigoted comments, so why do you guys all do it? what does it further? it just makes you feel better, but will hurt your cause rather than hurt it.

smiplacer

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:05:22 -0800

The gay community still doesn't get it. You guys live in your bubble and think that everyone thinks like you. All this does is upset all the yes on 8 people. I can imagine the conversations between you guys: "oh man, so many people at the protest!!! That was so awesome!!! We're showed her!!!" You guys are just lashing out. Do you really think protesting this lady changes anything!!! It only makes you feel good but does nothing. But I appreciate it because it makes you look childish and stupid. 100 dollars? Seriously? Get a life. And what is this about rights? you had marriage for like 4 months.

damian_z

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:24:36 -0800

I'm *almost* starting to like having lahipster here.

jk77

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:15:45 -0800

To Gary: almost nothing lahipster writes makes sense.

David in Los Angeles

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:06:13 -0800

Wow, all this publicity! I think I'm heading over to El Coyote tomorrow night. Seriously, people - would you expect Mormons and other "religious types" to protest someone like Steve Jobs and Apple because he gave $100,000 to "No on Prop 8"? I don't hear anyone calling him a "hater" (of traditional marriage). It goes both ways - if you really have a problem with El Coyote, don't patronize it. But find a more constructive use of time. How much did the manager give to Yes on 8? $100 bucks?

Elise Thompson

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:58:17 -0800

"but they need a better strategy.." Definitely. Peaceful protests and boycotts have never done anyone any good. Look at Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.

deadohiosky

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:11:43 -0800

This reminds me of PCU...We're Not Going To Protest! http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=20800611&searchid=c877e9c5-af7f-43e8-8c35-0647bd241300

Damien Newton

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:00:10 -0800

I was at the protest last night getting some stock photos for Streetsblog in case I ever decide to do a story on streets protest (Prop. 8 itself is out of my beat). First, I think the 120 number is actually low. I counted over 170 at one point and over 140 a couple of times. Second, the LAPD and staff deserve a big congratulations for the way they handled the protest. A lot of protestors, an embattled staff, a chartered bus full of El Coyote fans (or members of Majorie's church) and a narrow LA sidewalk isn't a recipe for a peaceful evening. Yet, nobody was hurt and nobody had their rights trampled.

msmerymac

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:33:21 -0800

Maybe the "Stiring the pot to cause harm by the gays" part. The rest didn't make any sense to me. I honestly don't know what it's supposed to mean. Something about someone buying ads? LAist buying ads, or someone buying ads on LAist?

Mike for Change

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:31:47 -0800

Everone... Here is my humble opinion... First of all I am straight and married for almost 20 years... But, I do not support anything that limits ANYONES rights... I voted NO on Prop 8... I am anygry like everyone else on this issue, However... The problems as I see it and the problem relates to all political advertisements... 1) Lack of Knowledge 2) False and Misleading Political Advertisements (Leads to confusion at the very least) We have laws to protect consumers... Why don't we fight to have laws to protect voters... Make it illegal to knowingly advertise in a deceptive way... and hold CEO's, Presidential candidates, Churchs, Synagouges, etc accountable with jail time and big fines... I think the problem starts with not having correct information... from there the story gets altered, misunderstood, misinterpreted, morphed, embellished and unfortunately darkened... About El Coyote... I do like El Coyote and I am a regular. I agree that punishing El Coyote via Boycott only hurts the employees and hungry/thirsty people... Margie, If you read this post, it would be a good start to donate $10k to $20k to the anti Prop 8 movement... Only a large pony is gonna fix the trust issue and you CAN afford it...Can you afford not to? A free lunch is nice, but come on, how about one free meal and a drink for 30 days? or one week? Give a chance for more people to get in on it...However, a free meal is not gonna fix the problem... Put your money where your mouth is...

GarySe7en

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:13:51 -0800

"vigilantes including this website who going try and sting up next a major ad buy is not going to happen on this site your stiring the pot to cause people harm by the gays" - lahipster Anyone else laughing at this quote?

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:22:19 -0800

"DON'T PUNISH US EVEN THOUGH I DONATED TO TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHTS" (that is the jist of it) Marjorie said that she cannot change her beliefs and convictions of her church. We cannot stop our convictions and belief that we are HUMAN BEINGS who deserve the SAME government marital rights and protections that are allowed to heterosexuals -- including heterosexual convicted serial killers in JAIL who have the right to marry over a phone. spare me the bigotry

marseven

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:14:14 -0800

Stop demanding that she donate money to No on 8- that kind of thinking is going to drive away our allies.

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:08:26 -0800

Poor taste is making money off a group of people and then stabbing them in the back. speaking of stabbing... The protest sign simply mentions that Sharon Tate (historically) ate her last meal at that restaurant...and now so have many gays. Although once I got a look at their bad Ragu slop posing as salsa I decided to avoid the place years ago.

msmerymac

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:04:57 -0800

When will people understand that this is not about a simple disagreement, or difference of opinion? Those who are saying that democracy prevailed, so get over it, do not have a true perception of what an equal society is about. In fact, your concept of humanity is quite simplistic. While I disagree with some of the protests (I won't be protesting at El Coyote, though I certainly won't be eating there either), and I certainly disagree with some of the hate and violence exhibited by the anti-8 side (though I fine it understandable), this is NOT akin to people fighting over who they like better on American Idol. Many people donated money to a cause to have their bigoted religious teaching forced down the throats of others, using "democracy" and the government as their pawns. If someone thinks that a minority group should have FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS taken AWAY, then I am sorry - they do not have a right to have their opinion respected. They can deal with the consequences of their actions. People are allowed to legally protest. I am not advocating anything violent, or illegal, or wrong - we should be the better side, the side that sets an example - but if we can teach people a lesson, okay, so be it. My only caveat is that some of these protests are NOT endearing the anti-8 side to the people who voted for prop-8 on the first place. Most people don't believe marriage is a human right, or they see no problem with "separate but equal," or don't think the government has the duty to protect minorities. (I guess people have forgotten the civil rights movement.) I'll be at the rally in downtown LA tomorrow. Let's find some real solutions.

lahipster

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:16 -0800

the food is not that good atEl Coyote on Beverly Blvd everybody that lives in la thats not a tourist knows this will make you not want to go in there

RyZiggity

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:58:43 -0800

i agree with trojan. The restaurant is going to lose some business from gay clientele but I don't see the point in crucifying someone over their opinion. I agree with the No-on-8 people and think the protests are warranted. but they need a better strategy

lahipster

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:55:50 -0800

vigilantes including this website who going try and sting up next a major ad buy is not going to happen on this site your stiring the pot to cause people harm by the gays

The Ugly American

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:55:18 -0800

That Sharron Tate [sic] poster is in really poor taste.

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:33:28 -0800

cool info on WKS Corp. Thanks. When is Sundance going to stop shoveling "liberal Hollywood" money into Mormon-controlled Utah? Is this Robert Redford's legacy? Get this FILM FEST and $60+ million dollars per year out of UTAH !! tell them now sio@sundance.org SUNDANCE INSTITUTE Los Angeles, CA: (310) 360-1981 Park City, UT : (435) 658-3456 here is breakdown on how much Sundance brought into Utah for 2007 www.sundance.org/pdf/2007%20Sundance%20Film%20Festival%20Generates%20$59. 6%20Million%20in%20Economic%20Activity%20in%20Utah. pdf

Cupidboi79

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:25:42 -0800

PantheonZeus WKS Restaurants Corp Doesnt only own those pollo loco restaurants, they also own Corner Bakery & Dennys. Cinemark has also donated $10,000 to yes on 8 campaign, There is a Cinemark at the Pike in long beach.

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:18:06 -0800

"You don't attack people because they don't agree with you." well, That is a great idealogy, unfortunately the Mormon and Catholic and Fundamentalist churches didn't get that memo. They attacked tax-paying gays and lesbians everywhere when their campaign said to vote us into 2nd class citizenship. Marriage is the only currency of commitment the real world universally understands and accepts. Civil-Unions, state sanctioned same-sex marriages in 2 little states: MA and CT, and Domestic Partnerships are separate and NOT EQUAL! Evolve and Join the Movement. Equal Rights for All. Tomorrow is a National Day of Protest against marriage inequality. Make a sign, bring a friend.

grendel20

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:14:11 -0800

Wow, _somebody_ should have been campaigning and protesting more before November 4th, eh?

Zach Behrens

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:14:11 -0800

@sasper "You lost, deal with it, get your message out next time a vote comes around." I didn't lose anything, personally, I'm straight. We are covering a major national issue and topic that is happening right here in our own city streets. That. Cannot. Be. Ignored. Covering Prop 8 is nothing new here on LAist. In fact, it has almost been covered daily since June. If there is a yes on Prop 8 rally or protest, we'll do our best to be there too. But so far, it's been very quiet on that side.

Hindinwood

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:03:28 -0800

"You don't attack people because they don't agree with you. To me that's wrong. It's why I've never tolerated anti war liberals, nor the anti abortion groups." Alright, I was going to actually say something but...ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

jrb

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:02:17 -0800

Troj2k+2, a person has every right to withhold their consumer dollars from a business, if the owner of that business is contributing money to a political cause that negatively impacts them. Think about it, the profits they make off of your consumer dollars is effectively working against your best interests. I don't owe anyone my business. I've withheld my consumer dollars for rudeness before. This is much more rudeness. This is equal rights.

sasper

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:28 -0800

Enough is enough with the anti-8 protests and posts on LAist. You lost, deal with it, get your message out next time a vote comes around. Until then, deal with the repercussions of being complacent in getting your word out before the election. And my LAist RSS subscription is officially turned off.

MyJunk

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:56:33 -0800

trojan2002, at first I agreed with you when I heard about this story. What's the big deal with $100 that she made on her behalf? But look from it at another perspective: El Coyote, located in West Hollywood, makes its bread and butter mainly from the LGBT community. The manager donated money she earned from El Coyote to strip away the rights of the very people who were dining there. Look at it this way: for her, it's acceptable to take money from gays and lesbians, but it's not alright for them to be equal citizens. On top of that, she admitted at the press conference that she only donated the money because the Mormon Church told her to (but the Church "very, very rarely tells you how to vote"). Instead of listening to her conscience and her personal beliefs, she blindly did what the Church told her to and she's unapologetic about it. She is either ignorant or believes lesbians and gays are second class citizens. The restaurant made money off the lesbian and gay community, so it's no surprise people are furious at how hypocritical they are. I would be out there warning others not to dine there too.

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:49:18 -0800

Gays can only be heard with our votes and much-loved gay dollars. A restaurant owner= Marjorie = made a great living from gay clientele - tithed 10% of her salary to her beloved bigoted church which funded hate and deceptive ads for an election. Marjorie obviously finds it okay to ignore her church's teaching and sell loads of alcohol. Hypocrital Bigotry has a price. Protests will be there weekly until she decides to donate equal funds to G&L Center or Lamda Legal Defense Fund towards Civil Marriage Equality. Marjorie is NOT a robot - is she? she made a choice. A Bigot is a Bigot is a Bigot. ps-- Boycott These El Pollo Loco's too http://soqueer.blogspot.com/2008/11/el-pollo-locoproposition-8.html

Zach Behrens

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:48:05 -0800

Thanks, PantheonZeus, I updated. FYI note to trojan2002. The reason why El Coyote is such a big deal to many of the protesters is that Chrisoffersen is not just some employee, she's the heart and soul of that restaurant for many (and a member of family that owns it).

trojan2002

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:36:13 -0800

Prop 8 protesters inching towards pissing me off. A manager of a restaurant makes a $100 donation because of something she believes, right or wrong. So you want her fired? You don't attack people because they don't agree with you. To me that's wrong. It's why I've never tolerated anti war liberals, nor the anti abortion groups. You people are a bunch of loonies now. If you can't make your point without attacking people personally, or their general religious beliefs, then what you are protesting for is wrong! So ass heads are you telling me equal rights is wrong because that's how I interpret protests attacking religious groups, and $100 donors.

tballw32

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:35:08 -0800

Shouldn't the Mormon Church take Chrisoffersen under their wing as some sort of martyr by now? maybe give her a comfy job in some temple or something. Seems like they're just gonna let her and El Coyote crash and burn.

PantheonZeus

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:24:55 -0800

I was there protesting and it was about 120 people at its peak 7-9pm. KTLA news called us "howling mad protesters" (get it? Coyote, Howl ? ) We chanted that they serve "HATE ON A PLATE" Civil Marriage Equality For ALL !