Courage campaign 100,000 sign petition in 24 hours for cameras in Prop 8 fed trial

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Courage campaign sent this email

From a San Jose Mercury News article:

"Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker approved court-operated cameras in his courtroom for delayed release on YouTube, but rejected a bid by media organizations to televise the proceedings themselves for live broadcast."

This decision is NOT final: Judge Walker is leaving the public comment period open until Friday, pending a ruling on his decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

While we are pleased that the trial may be on a delayed broadcast via YouTube at least, our call for full transparency -- a televised broadcast that network news and cable channels can pick up live, as it happens -- has not been met.

And, it's entirely possible that the 9th Circuit Appeals Court may overrule Judge Walker's ruling, shutting down all broadcasting -- even a delayed daily YouTube broadcast. Lawyers representing supporters of Prop. 8 have already opposed broadcasting the trial in any form whatsoever and are likely to fight Walker's ruling.

Millions of lives across America will be affected by this federal trial challenging Prop 8. That's why more than 80,000 people have already signed our letter asking for a televised trial. To keep up the pressure before the public comment period closes on Friday, please sign here now:

GOAL: 100,000 signatures. DEADLINE: Friday 9 AM:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/TeleviseTheTrial

With right-wing religious groups like NOM and Focus on the Family organizing against televising the trial, we need as many signatures on this letter as possible.

If you know other people who believe the Prop 8 trial should be televised so that as many people as possible can see it, please forward this message to them ASAP.

Thank you so much for your incredible response to this critical action. We will update you again as soon as news breaks.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign Institute





Latest figures show that over 100,000 have now signed the petition.

To add your name go here: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/TeleviseTheTrial