Photo: Ross von Metzke
I didn't actually expect to see near-rioting in West Hollywood in response to California's still uncalled Proposition 8.
Along with regular Popnographer Japhy Grant, Advocate.com editor Ross von Metzke joined an estimated 2,000 other Angelenos -- and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (above, right).
No on 8 and Equality California called the rally to thank volunteers for their support and assure the community the fight would carry on.
But the crowd appeared angry and frustrated, with much of that anger directed at the Mormon church, which funded the bulk of the Yes on 8 campaign. Several attempts to get the crowd to block traffic on Santa Monica Blvd. failed as speakers including Jean and West Hollywood Mayor John Duran addressed the crowd.
When the speaking ended, the angry and motivated crowd marched out of central West Hollywood and up the hill to Sunset Blvd. A police escort led the crowd of some 2,000 people nearly a mile through the main drag of West Hollywood's Sunset Strip, the city's central hub for dining and nightlife.
With traffic backed up, people were honking, cheering and offering 'high-fives' of support to the crowd as it wove in between stopped cars. People poured onto restaurant balconies to take photos, some even leaving their meals to join the march.
They then marched from to CNN's west coast HQ, where they were (of course) met by camera crews -- and we hear they're still making their way across Hollywood. We're keeping track via Flickr: Look to faerymkh and the No on 8 pooled tag for more. That's how to throw a riot.
Previously > Out's rioter in chief
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