Last Saturday, the steps of St. Louis’ old courthouse became the stomping ground of opponents to California’s Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage, which passed on Election Day. The demonstration attracted more then a thousand people including St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, and dozens of Saint Louis University students.

“[I am here] because I support gay marriage, and I don’t think hate should be encoded into law,” said Emma Obata, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Braving the cold, nearly all the supporters came equipped with heavy coats, but others also waved home-made signs, which after an hour was the easiest movement possible on the packed steps.

The colorful banners reading, “Honk for Equality,” “When Can I Vote on Your Marriage?” and “These Colors Don’t Run” (written on a rainbow-colored United States flag) expressed the frustrated efforts of the activists.

Many of the protestors felt that equal-marriage rights are not un-American.

“I want to speak out. I think that this proposition goes against what the United States is about,” said Thomas Bloom, a sophomore in the college of Arts and Sciences. Bloom questioned the justice of “the majority of people taking away the rights of a minority.”

Some students who went to the courthouse were surprised that Prop. 8 ??-and similar bans in Florida and Arizona passed.

“It took until 4 a.m. on Election Night to realize that not everything that passed was worth celebrating. It is important to be out here. Even though the voting is done, it’s important to bring attention to the issue,” said Lauren Khouri, president of SLU’s College Democrats. The College Democrats had worked with SLU’s Rainbow Alliance to organize a group of SLU students that attended the morning rally.

“Rainbow Alliance helped us during the election, we will be there for them” Khouri said.

Khouri was not the only SLU political leader present at the rally, Amy Kauffman, College Republicans President joined in with several of her friends. Kauffman carried a two-sided sign reading “You can’t legislate love, Republican against Prop. 8” was confused by the argument against same-sex marriage.

“There are bigger problems in the world. This is absurd that people are fighting so hard over the definition of a word.” Kaufman said.

Mayor Slay took the podium to deliver his speech in support of same-sex marriage and gay non-discrimination before one thousand. The Mayor’s message stressed equality and respect.

“Gay men and women serve the city, including many senior staff members,” Slay said. “[Allowing same-sex marriage] is the right thing to do it is the smart thing to do.”

Later the president of the Saint Louis Board of Alderman, Lewis E. Reed, spoke. He compared the current illegal status of same-sex marriages to bi-racial marriages 50 years ago. He cited that such laws would make not only his marriage illegal, but the marriage of the current president elects parents illegal. Reed finished his speech by paraphrasing the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. Governments are instituted to secure these rights.”