Yes on 8, Protect Marriage - Restoring Marriage and Protecting California Children

We did it! The majority of results came in late last night - here is the oficial statement from Ron Prentice, Chairman of ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8.

********************************************

This is a great day for marriage. The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution. We are gratified that voters chose to protect traditional marriage and to enshrine its importance in the state constitution. We trust that this decision will be respected by all Californians.

The Yes on Proposition 8 campaign has been the single largest, most powerful grassroots movement in the history of American ballot initiative campaigns. We raised approximately $40 million from over 70,000 individual contributors. We recruited the active support of over 100,000 volunteers who gave tirelessly of their time and energies to our cause. We could not have won without them!  These dedicated volunteers have visited millions of homes, made millions of phone calls, distributed over one million yard signs and displayed one million bumper strips. The silent majority is alive and well in California.

Proposition 8 has always been about restoring the traditional definition of marriage. It doesn’t discriminate or take rights away from anyone. Gay and lesbian domestic partnerships will continue to enjoy the same legal rights as married spouses. Our coalition has no plans to seek any changes in that law.

While it will take a few weeks to finish counting all the votes, Proposition 8 takes effect at midnight tonight. Just as it was before the Supreme Court’s ruling, only marriage between a man and a woman will be valid or recognized in California, regardless of when or where performed.

This has been a hard-fought campaign on both sides. Now that the people of California have decided this issue, we hope there can be a healing among all and a continued respect for the diverse views that have been expressed during this campaign.

The outcome of this race is being closely followed in every state in the nation, and in countries throughout the world. California’s vote in favor of traditional marriage should give the silent majority comfort that they do have a voice and can and should stand up for this precious institution in legislatures throughout the world. Marriage is between a man and a woman.

On this final day in the battle to restore traditional marriage, I cannot think of a more inspiring message than that issued early this morning by our Campaign Manager Frank Schubert.

I urge you, if you haven’t already, to read it and to Vote Yes on Prop 8!

*************************

Friends,

It all comes down to today.

We’ve worked every day for months. We’ve knocked on millions of front doors. We’ve made tens of millions of telephone calls. We’ve planted over a million yard signs and distributed over a million bumper strips. The commercials have all aired. The mailers have all been delivered.

Now we have 13 hours to make history.

All the polls show that Proposition 8 is up for grabs. Some polls have us up by a couple of points, others behind by a similar margin. Either way, the outcome of Proposition 8 is very much uncertain. The side that is most successful in turning out its supporters will win. It’s up to us now. If we get our supporters to the polls today, we will win. It is just as simple as that.

I couldn’t be prouder of the campaign we have waged. Together, we’ve raised important issues about same-sex marriage including implications for religious freedom, freedom of expression and, most importantly, how same-sex marriage will be taught to children in our schools. Our opponents have vilified us for having had the courage to speak out. Our campaign materials have been stolen and destroyed, churches have been defaced, properties damaged and some of our volunteers have even been assaulted. Still, you have persevered and brought us to the brink of victory. It has been an honor to work with you. 

As much as you’ve already done, there is still more to do. Please make sure you vote Yes on Proposition 8. Bring a friend with you to the polls to do the same thing. Call your family and friends and ask them to join you in supporting traditional marriage by voting Yes on 8. And if you have already signed up for our get-out-the-vote effort, be sure to cast your own vote early so you have more time to help other Yes on 8 supporters get to the polls.

It’s now or never for marriage. Victory is in our hands. Let’s go do this!

Sincerely,

Frank Schubert
Campaign Manager
ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8

At the recently held Rescue Marriage Rally, over 100 pastors and over 1,000 supporters gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to show their support for Yes on 8 and traditional marriage. People from all over California came to the rally to show their unified, unwavering support for Proposition 8!

Dr. Phillip Goudeaux, Senior Pastor of Calvary Christian Center, spearheaded the rally by praying and encouraging supporters to keep working through November 4th.  Joined by fellow Proposition 8 leaders including Ron Prentice, Jim Garlow, Brenda Bennett, Derek McCoy and Ron Nelson they encouraged the crowd to continue their efforts and to not rest until the day after the Election. In addition to being broadcast live on the radio by host Eric Hogue of Salem, several news outlets attended the event such as CBS, NBC, ABC and CBN.

On behalf of the Yes on 8 Campaign, I want to give a huge thank you to the many supporters who helped make this and other Yes on 8 events possible. There are a countless numbers of events that are taking place all over the state, even as I type, that we won’t hear about. We want those of you organizing and participating in those events to know, that each of you play an equally important role in passing Prop 8 and we are eternally grateful for your support. THANK YOU!

Check out the Photo Gallery to see photos of many of our great Yes on 8 events.

Yesterday wrapped up the very successful “Stand Up for Traditional Marriage” bus tour. After launching the tour last Monday in Sacramento to an enthusiastic crowd at Riverside Wesleyan church, we ended our statewide journey at Skyline Church in San Diego with a strong crowd of over 1,000 supporters. Nearly every single television station in San Diego covered our rally and witnessed hundreds of people expressing their commitment to restore the traditional definition of marriage on Election Day.
 
Rally stops during our bus tour included Chico, Oakland, Salinas, Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Montclair, Indio, El Centro, Camarillo and Fullerton. Thousands and thousands of supporters attended these rallies wearing Yes on Prop 8 t-shirts, waving Yes on Prop 8 signs and chanting, “Yes on 8″ for all to hear. At each rally we demonstrated the true spirit of the Protectmarriage.com - Yes on 8 coalition with church choirs and ensembles performing, local area spokespeople participating and diverse crowds from each of your communities erupting into thunderous cheers when asked to take the Marriage Pledge. Countless television, radio and print newspaper stories were generated as a result of the rallies all delivering a similar message - Yes on 8 supporters were out in force to show their support for Prop. 8!
 
It is because of your time, hard work and commitment to traditional marriage these rallies were such a huge success.  Don’t forget to visit our photo gallery on the Web site to see photos of all of these great events!

We’re still rollin…

Lancaster
Over 550 people showed up to participate in the Lancaster stop of our Prop 8 bus tour. Families, college students, and local residents turned out to show their support.  Channel 3 and Channel 4 NBC showed up to cover the event along with the Valley Press newspaper. Campaign spokesperson Andy Pugno got the crowd warmed up while beloved local community member Gail Knight led the crowd in the pledge of allegiance and her son Steve reminded the crowd of his late father’s dedication to Prop 22. Dr. John Goetsch spoke to the crowd on behalf of West Coast Baptist College. The rally closed on a high note with everyone signing their name to our marriage pledge.

Bakersfield
There were about 300 people at the Bakersfield stop. While the crowd was gathering people got so excited that they began to line the streets waving their signs and getting cars to honk…it was something else. We had radio and TV reporters on hand to cover the event.

It’s been great to see that no matter what part of the state we’re in there are plenty of Yes on 8 supporters! I’m sure we’ll see the same in Southern California.

Another succesful tour day…

Fresno
The fifth stop took place at Cornerstone Church in Fresno where more than 200 people came to share their enthusiasm for passing Prop. 8. One group of ten supporters arrived in matching t-shirts with Prop. 8 signs, showing their dedication to the campaign. Three television stations attended, one an NBC local affiliate. The event ran smoothly and got Fresno voters ready for Nov. 4.

Modesto
The sixth stop took the campaign to Modesto where more than 300 people came bearing Prop. 8 signs, buttons and t-shirts. The rally was held at the First Baptist Church. People poured into the church parking lot to hear about the campaign’s success stories as well as the grassroots help still needed. ‘Yes on 8′ chants could be heard far and wide as people signed the marriage pledge and paraded with their signs around the building.

Thank you Fresno and Modesto!

Day two of our Yes on 8 Media Bus Tour is complete, and much like Day 1, it was a huge success!

Oakland
Today’s first stop was Oakland, where more than 300 supporters came equipped with yard signs, homemade signs and t-shirts, all to help generate enthusiasm and support for the campaign.

The Bay Area media made sure to attend, there were at least four TV reporters and six newspaper reporters. The local Tongan community filled the venue with their beautiful songs and dances and formed a parade in front of the stage with their signs waving high in the air! Many supporters stayed long after the event lining the surrounding streets with their signs, waving at cars as they honked their support back.

Salinas
Next stop was Salinas. Here more than 80 supporters stood in front of the church clapping in unison as the campaign urged everyone to Vote Yes on 8! People crowded our Marriage Pledge booth wanting to be first to pledge their support for traditional marriage. Parents beamed with pride as many of their children came out to the rally to hold signs and clap with the crowd. One young supporter explained how important Prop. 8 is to her. She explained that she only wished she was old enough to vote because she would surely cast a Yes vote. The next best thing, she said, is showing those who can vote her support for the proposition!

We’re confident the tour will continue to be a hit as we make our way down into the Central Valley tomorrow, with stops in Fresno and Modesto. Urge your friends, family and co-workers to come out  to voice their support for Proposition 8!

Yes on 8!

Day one of our Yes on 8 Statewide Media Bus Tour went off without a hitch, in fact it was a great success. Here’s a brief recap of the two stops that we had today:

Sacramento
We had 300-400 people in attendance – a great crowd! People were pumped up and excited. Six TV cameras were there to get footage and cover the press conference with the Wirthlins. In addition to TV cameras, we had several print and radio reporters, including NPR. Robb and Robin Wirthlin spoke and gave people a first hand account of the effects of legalized same-sex marriage. Supporters were very sympathetic. It was a great kick off event!

Chico
The crowds in Chico were amazing – easily double what Sacramento produced. Churches bused in supporters from surrounding towns and communities. Cars were lined up trying to get into the parking lot. The speakers were great and the crowd enthusiastic. Two local network TV affiliates covered the rally, as well as other local media.

We are off to an awesome start! Look for us in Oakland and Salinas tomorrow.

Our highly anticipated Yes on 8 Statewide Media Bus Tour kicked off today. Hundres of supporters arrived with homemade signs, yard signs and t-shirts to show their enthusiasm for the passage of Prop. 8. The event began with a press conference and was followed by a Yes on 8 Rally.

Special guests, the Wirthlin family from Massachusetts, spoke during the rally. The Wirthlin’s are the same family that bravely stood up to the Mass. Lexington School District’s attempts to teach their son about same-sex marriage after the state made same-sex marriage legal. Their participation created a lot of buzz and excitement.

The next stop is Chico, which will begin at 4 p.m. today. We hope to see you there!

Supporters of the campaign held a Yes on Proposition 8 Rally in El Dorado Hills, CA yesterday. Over 200 people came to learn about the importance of passing Prop. 8 as well as to sign up to volunteer. One supporter came all the way from San Francisco to check out the rally and to promote his own upcoming rally, which will reach out to Tongan as well as other diverse, ethnic communities in support of Prop. 8. 

The event was sponsored by Bruce and Jeni Bitnoff, two local volunteer organizers from El Dorado Hills. At the event, were booths full of yard signs, brochures, volunteer sign ups and voter registration forms. Yes on 8 banners and wave signs brightened the inside and outside of the venue. The event was a success and had many people eager to get started walking precincts, phoning and getting out to vote Yes for Prop. 8.