mandrake society radio “make love. give birth. change your community.” Audio intersections at community life and music, hosted by JW Richard.

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Given all the press about the protest, I wanted to go downtown myself to see the matter. As I mention in the earlier post, there were no more than 20 people involved the protest, with about 7 counter protesters that you hear in the beginning across the street. The first speaker, whose name you barely hear in the wind and failed to clarify later, begins the chants of equality and reads a piece from author and Christian radio personality, James Dobson.

Afterwards, a local representative from JoinTheImpact speaks about the need to sign the petition to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. She then brings to the megaphone the executive director of the Resource Center, Mike McKay. As he’s about the get started, a counter protester mixes into the crowd with an vociferous appeal to turn to Jesus, saying Obama is not the messiah, and even pleads “the Blood” on the crowd. The Dallas police escort her away, to which you hear a small but thankful “yeah” from the crowd.

Mr. McKay reminds the crowd that it’s about politics, not theology. He also says to contact “our friend, Eddie Bernice Johnson” to vocalize your concern about repealing DOMA. The representative from JoinTheImpact returns to the megaphone to offer it to anyone else. A young man comes up and informs the crowd that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have said that refused to get married until gays can marry.

The march ends with chants of “equal rights now!” into the brisk wind as dissenters beckon across the street.

Here is the audio record (about 18 minutes).