On Thursday, March 5 the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the November ballot measure which eliminated the right to marry for same-sex couples in California. The night before this historic moment, opponents of the ban, their friends, and families will demonstrate their support for marriage equality by joining Marriage Equality USA and the San Diego Equality Campaign “March Forth on March Fourth” rally and candlelight vigil in front of the Hall of Justice, located at 330 W. Broadway in Downtown San Diego.

The rally, which begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, is planned to unify supporters while showing support for justice and the 18,000 existing same-sex marriages being contested. Marriage Equality USA and the San Diego Equality Campaign believe that marriage is a fundamental right to all Americans, and that equality should be upheld by the California Supreme Court. The rally will feature choruses, community and faith leaders, elected officials, and loving committed couples all speaking out for marriage equality.

Supporters are encouraged to bring positive signs, candles, American and gay Pride flags in preparation for the 6 p.m. candlelight vigil, which will immediately follow the conclusion of the rally. During this demonstration the community will join together and fill the streets of San Diego with hope for a bright and equal future.

Across California, equality groups are bringing supporters together in anticipation of the Supreme Court hearings. For a complete list of events and sponsors, visit www.eveofjustice.com.

Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation. For more information, visit www.marriageequality.org.

For more information about the San Diego events, contact Fernando Z. Lopez, of Marriage Equality USA, at 619-861-7939 or fernando@marriageequalitysd.org; or Sara Beth Brooks of San Diego Equality Campaign, at 619-368-9948 or sarabrooks@gmail.com.

Staff report