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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsActivists Want Democratic Party Convention to Move out of North Carolina After Amendment One Passage
Activists Want DNC Convention to Move out of North Carolina After Amendment One PassageBy: David Dayen
May 9, 2012
As you know, North Carolina passed Amendment One, a constitutional amendment initiative that not only puts the existing ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution, but will also ban civil unions and domestic partnerships and could actually make things difficult for heterosexual couples that co-habitate. Despite or perhaps because of confusion about the consequences of the measure, 61% of voters supported the amendment yesterday.
But theres another wrinkle with this outcome. The 2012 DNC convention will take place in Charlotte, with President Obama set to accept the nomination at Bank of America Stadium, where the NFLs Panthers play. And some activists are unhappy about the fact that Democrats will celebrate in Charlotte four months after the state took rights away from LGBT families.
For the record, President Obama formally opposed Amendment One. He didnt campaign against it, as Bill Clinton did, but he did send the message that he rejected discrimination and the denial of rights and benefits to same-sex couples. After the vote, Obamas campaign released a statement where he pronounced himself disappointed in the passage of this amendment.
The larger point here is that this controversy isnt likely to go away. And the DNC convention, instead of a PR event for the Presidents re-election, could be dominated by this conversation about gay rights, from the addition of a marriage equality plank to the platform to the protest against the convention site. There are already waves of criticism against the selection of Charlotte North Carolina is a right-to-work state, there are no union hotels in Charlotte for attendees to stay at, it has a reputation as Wall Street West and is the home of Bank of America and this just gets layered on.
Obama plans Convention speech at Bank of America Stadium
Read the full article at:
http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/05/09/activists-want-dnc-convention-to-move-out-of-north-carolina-after-amendment-one-passage/
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)Yes let's screw the people who did support the gay community both straight and gays. That will do them. Leave it where it is. Obama still has a chance to win the state. This is a swing state. He gave the gay community the support and that is great. Don't show your asses because the community didn't get what they wanted. People knew this is an uphill battle.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)Yes, please move it. Someplace warm and liberal with nice beaches, no right-to-work laws or marriage discrimination or laws aimed to curb protest or free speech.
Move it on out of Charlotte.
kelly1mm
(4,734 posts)not warm, and CA voted for Prop 8.
Demonaut
(8,927 posts)I feel bad for the 40% who voted against but to have the convention there now
is a slap in the face to the LGBT community
emulatorloo
(44,186 posts)And we put the "Bank of America Stadium" fake outrage to bed months ago.
RZM
(8,556 posts)Running away isn't the answer. The answer is trying to convince these same people that there are plenty of other issues where the positions of Democrats are more in line with their interests than those of Republicans.
Saying 'screw you guys, I'm going home' sends the opposite message.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)Is the Democratic Party making a major political push to organized the millions of unorganized workers in North Carolina?
Is it doing anything at all?
Did the Democratic Party leadership not know that the many union delegates and other progressives at the convention would be required to eat and sleep at non-union facilities?
RZM
(8,556 posts)To quote Karl Rove on election night in 2008 - 'without North Carolina, Republicans aren't in the game.' I actually think Romney will win North Carolina. But it's going to cost him time and resources that he would prefer to spend elsewhere.
So that's why it was chosen. Same reason the DNC picked Denver last time and the same reason the RNC chose Tampa. You take the good with the bad. Perhaps if North Carolina turns bluer, it might become a more union friendly-state. You don't make it bluer by running away, you make it bluer by spending time, money, and energy there.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)Hold a convention at non-union facilities?
Wow.
That's powerful.
What sorts of demonstrations, other mass actions and movements in defense of working people, our rights and living standards from the attacks of Wall Street and big business is the national Democratic Party spending time and money to organize in North Carolina?
I'd like to know specific details.
Thanks.