(Nov. 7, 2008) -- Following-up on a story first reported late Thursday night (Nov. 6) by LBReport.com, 2nd district Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal has issued the following statement regarding tonight's (Nov. 7) demonstration -- titled "March on Broadway!" -- to protest voter-passed Proposition 8 (ending same sex marriages in CA).

LBReport.com provides Councilwoman Lowenthal's statement in full:

"I support tonight's protest of Proposition 8's passage. Although the basic right of marriage was denied of loving couples in our community, the right to gather and speak out against unjust laws that perpetuate prejudice and second-class citizenship must never be compromised. In order for our society to truly prosper and evolve, we must be willing to look past our personal differences and learn to value our shared dreams - in this case, marriage between two loving individuals."

Tonight's march is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m., starting at Redondo Ave. and ending at Alamitos Ave. LB's Gay & Lesbian Center says speakers are scheduled at the end of the march highlighting the plea before the California Supreme Court, the writ on behalf of EQCA and the 6 couples, and the implications for those who have already married.

Prop 8 enacted a state constitutional amendment reversing a CA Supreme Court ruling (4-3) that made same sex marriage a state constitutional right. CA voters statewide approved it by a 5% margin (52.5% yes, 47.5% no).

Prop 8 failed in LB citywide by the same margin but reversed: 47.5% yes, 52.5% no. Five of nine LB Council districts (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) voted "yes"...but were outweighed by a more than two to one "no" votes in the 2nd Council district (69% "no" votes) and a large "no" vote in the 3rd Council district.