Today I planned on going to two different rallies regarding same-sex marriage: a rally of Latino Christians against it at the Bronx Courthouse and a one of Black people supporting it at City Hall. Things didn't work out quite the way I wanted and I'm a little emotionally exhausted, but it's okay - the pictures really tell the story.
Yankee Stadium; Bronx County Courthouse
The train pulled into the 161st Street/Yankee Stadium stop around noon. I heard the crowd as soon as I stepped onto the platform and I was still about two blocks away. Lots of Latino families had already gathered: the men sometimes in smart suits, the neat matronly women looking much less styled and the children donning their Sunday School best, more casual than traditional. Everyone had their bibles and was dressed as if either they were coming from church or as if this was church, at least for today. Within the hour, the crowd grew to about 4 or 5 times its original size. The crowd motivators (some of whom looked like Black women) were on the steps with megaphones moving the crowd to excitability by jumping, clapping, shouting and rattling off hateful statements disguised as biblical declarations and religious rhetoric. Oh yeah, and I can't forget to mention that horn that someone up there was blowing incessantly.
I didn't want to take any pictures until they raised their banner, but the faces in the crowd were compelling. I began to see how photographers can anesthesize themselves to their surroundings; you become a hunter for the picture that tells (and sells) the story. Understanding that made it easy for me to disassociate the anger and sadness I was feeling, walking back and forth surrounding myself with people who would deny my rights if it were their choice. What quelled my need for confrontation, for the most part, was the fact that I don't speak Spanish.
Eventually, I made my way up the hill overlooking the courhouse where a small group of protesters convened. I didn't recognize anyone in particular there at the entrance of Joyce Kilmore Park, but some support was provided by that seemingly ubiquitous Socialist Workers group. The Bronx Lesbian & Gay Health Resource Consortium hosted a sign-making party the day before, but most of the signs seemed to have been made on the spot at the demonstration. It was more than a little disheartening to see such a small turnout on the same grounds where they've held Bronx Gay Pride, but those 15-20 people pumped their placards with mittened hands and sent their circle's energy down from that hill as best they could. I walked down the hill and past the rally wondering if that was enough.
It was about 1pm when I got back to the train station. I'd take the 4 to 14th Street/Union Station and transfer to the N. Well, thanks to our wonderful new subway service, that N train took me right on past City Hall out to Brooklyn's Pacific Street. When I finally got to City Hall, Councilman (and mayoral candidate) Philip Reed had just finished speaking at another press conference concerning children. They must do them like clockwork, every hour on the hour ...
No, I'm not going to summarize. You already know what I'm going to say, don't you?
I wish I could be a visitor at both rallies. I would love to interview the Latino Xians to understand their real beef.
Thanks for the pictures
I was still recovering from food poisoning and couldn’t make the City Hall rally. Really, the hateful gatherings like the one in the Bronx I avoid like the plague. I’m not changing anyone’s mind and I think we need to be more pro-active and steady in supporting those acts/words/deeds/orgs/persons that sustain and build us and makes us strong.
I am grateful for your pictures and words and feel as if I were there. Next time I hope to show my support for Marrieage Equality in person.
BTW, your pics are wonderful. Glad to see you have a new cam and know how to work it!
Hey Donald, thanks for the fotos! I shared them with my gal who was there — the one in the white jacket and beige hat.