In these weeks leading to the election, there has been a lot of action on both sides of the issues. Yet it seems no clearer than in one of the most conservative areas of Southern California, the inland empire, where action has sprung almost from nowhere.

Groups like the Anarcat Collective, the Temecula chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and local school GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) groups have come together over the issue of proposition 8 and equal rights to form some of the largest street protests the valley has seen.

Against clear presence of opposition, numbers have grown. Most notable were rallies like that of Tuesday, October 28, where over 200 supporters gathered at the busy intersection of Ynez Rd. and Rancho California Rd., staying until well after dark and filling all four corners.

The consensus of many rally-goers seems clear. Prop 8 is not only a breach of basic civil rights, but a clear marriage of church and state. Messages on signs range from "We didn't vote on your marriage," to some variations of opposing slogans, like "Protect EVERY marriage."

In such a traditionally conservative area, reaction has also been surprisingly warm, with honks of appreciation and support well outnumbering negativity.

A few hours into one of the first cool fall nights of the year, moral was once again high on Thursday. With only sparce sprinkles of rain, weather smiled upon the locals. One pioneering group even came up with a catchy twist of a chant.

"Olé! Olé olé olé! No on eight! No on eight!"

With less than a week until November 4, organization has reached it's height. New bonds have formed and friends have been made. And the only guarantee from the decision this Tuesday is that it will never seperate these bonds. It will never seperate anyone in love, only make us stronger for it. Marriage will always be our right and we will always stand up to keep it.

(Rallies will also be held Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, at the corner of Winchester Rd. and Ynez Rd. in Temecula at 2:00 PM. For more information contact the Anarcat Collective at www.myspace.com/adistro)

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Bravo!! I drive through Winchester/Ynez at about 5:30 every evening. On Monday, my heart just sank ... all those idiots out there with their matching signs, clean-cut clothes, and brain-washed eyes. I've been horrified by these people since I moved to Temecula five years ago! Then I drove through there on Tuesday, and I have to tell you: I've never felt so hopeful for the future of my country!! I saw hundreds of people, mostly kids with hand-made signs and ratty clothes -- quite a ragtag bunch! But you were all screaming your heads off, and I pounded on my horn as long as I could. No one told you where to be and when, no one gave you matching signs ... no one is telling you how to THINK!! As far as I could tell, you were all out there because you're mad as hell, and you're not going to take this bigotry anymore! I've never felt so proud of my community ... and I no longer feel like I have to move out of this horrible, backward town. I'm a boring liberal housewife with a husband and two young boys, but I'll be damned if I'll let my sons grow up thinking they can treat other people so horribly. I was so energized by the experience, I brought the issue up with a neighbor. Turns out, we both agree!! Even better, we both want to put up No on 8 yard signs to counter the two religious families' signs on our cul de sac. I live right by Temecula Middle School. Can anyone tell me where I can find two No on 8 signs so close to the election?!? That's how I found this Web site, but I'll keep looking. Thank you!!

Andrea,
Thank you so much for supporting. It's a ton of people in your same position who make these events possible. If you were interested in getting some signs, both today and tomorrow we will be having rallies at 2:00PM at the corner of Winchester and Ynez. You are welcome to come hang out and support and I'm sure you can find a couple yard signs as well. I know how it feels to live in such a closed-minded area (I've spent my whole life in Murrieta) and we NEED actions like this to keep ourselves going. It gives me a lot of hope to be a part of all of this. Thanks again for the your comment. if you would like any more information feel free to contact me directly. peace,
Bryan T.

You're awesome. These pictures made my day. <3