*New Paltz Mayor Seeks Allies and Positive Debate on Same-Sex Marriage*

[For PaisAn]

I believe he's looking for any and all to contact him in support of his actions. If anyone here is a member of an organization advocating equality for gays, please pass his request on to that group.

For Immediate Release

March 5, 2004 UPDATE 5:35 PM EST

***MEDIA ADVISORY***MEDIA ADVISORY***

_ _
*NEW PALTZ MAYOR SEEKS ALLIES AND POSITIVE DEBATE ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE*

Assembling Coalition to Discuss Same-Sex Marriage Issue

"This is a critical moment in the birth of a movement and it is important to find potential allies. I have been in constant conversation with the office of the Attorney General and those conversations will continue next week. To create an atmosphere for positive discussions I decided last night to postpone the solemnizing of same sex marriages tomorrow and not to perform any next week. I intend to advocate as strongly as I can to persuade the Attorney General to join forces with our cause.

Meanwhile, an advocacy group from Orlando filed a lawsuit seeking an immediate order preventing me from solemnizing same-sex marriages. My lawyers informed the judge of my decision by letter last night. Late today, the judge ordered me not to solemnize same-sex marriages. As I have said all along, I believe firmly in the rule of law. I believe everyone who swears an oath to uphold the Constitution has an independent obligation to implement its commands. But in our system of constitutional government, judges have the last word. I intend to fully abide by the judge's decision. And I am considering legal options.

I will continue doing what I can to advance the cause we have undertaken together. But the movement that is flowering here now does not depend, and never has depended, upon the actions of a single mayor in a small village."

*Mayor Jason West, New **Paltz**, **NY***

*WHO: New **Paltz**, **NY** Mayor Jason West*

26-year-old Green Party Mayor Jason West has married 25 same-sex couples since Friday of last week in the small college town of New Paltz, NY. IN connection with performing those ceremonies, the Mayor has been charged to 19 misdemeanor counts of solemnizing a marriage without a license.

Attorney E. Joshua Rosenkranz

Attorney Josh Rosenkranz is representing Mayor West in connection with the Mayor's officiating and solemnizing of same-sex marriages.

*CONTACT:*

Wayne Kessler, Communications Manager, Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP

Direct Phone: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

###

http://www.villageofnewpaltz.org/

[donco6]

1. The right wing is so big on jury nullification . . .

. . . why wouldn't this apply?

[For PaisAn]

2. Not sure I follow.

I'm a little dense today. Could you explain what you mean? Thanks.
:shrug:

[donco6]

3. Sorry.

Jury nullification is a movement that pushes jurors to not only review the evidence, but to actually make their decision based on whether they believe the law is appropriate or not.

For example, in a gun case, the evidence may clearly show the defendant broke the law as stated. The jury, however, may decide to "nullify" the law in their verdict by finding him not guilty. They don't believe the law is a proper law, therefore no one can be guilty of breaking it.

In this case, the mayor is saying that the state law is improper, therefore he is "nullifying" it by his actions. So why is the RW so upset? Ah, because there are laws they LIKE, and there are those they DON'T.

It's just another example of hypocrisy.

[For PaisAn]

4. Thanks

"In this case, the mayor is saying that the state law is improper, therefore he is "nullifying" it by his actions."

Yes, it seems that that's exactly what he is doing.

And yes, their hypocrisy knows no bounds.