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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Fight Over Same-Sex Marriage Turns Ugly With Sign Burning
Sacramento CA Bee 20Feb00 N1
By Ryan Kim: Examiner Staff
PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA -- Unknown suspects collected about 30
pro-Knight Initiative yard signs from a neighborhood in Pleasanton
and burned them in the parking lot of a local LDS Church before 1:45
am Saturday. Neighbors reported the bonfire at that time. Fire and
police arrived on the scene and the LDS chapel did not suffer any
damage.
Local police have no leads or suspects in the case, but assume that
it was done because of the LDS Church's position on the initiative,
They are treating the investigation as an interference of civil
rights, which is a felony. "We feel that it was done purposely at the
church because of their stance on Proposition 22," said police Sgt.
Joe Buckovic. LDS Bishop Dan Hall, whose congregation meets in the
chapel where the signs were burned, told the Bee he doesn't think the
vandalism is right, "I'm disappointed that people would feel this is
the right way to express their opinion," he said.
Opponents of the Knight Initiative were also angered at the action,
"This is reprehensible and it's without the support of anyone in this
campaign," said Mike Marshall, manager for the No on Knight Campaign.
"I hope police find the people who did it and charge them to the
fullest extent."
Supporters of the Initiative say that this is just the latest report
of vandalism. About 1,600 signes were taken from yards in Hemet,
California, the campaign says, since the signs were introduced on
January 22nd.
See also:
Prop. 22 signs burned in church parking lot
San Francisco CA Examiner 20Feb00 N1
By Ryan Kim: Examiner Staff
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