Official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston

Thousands join Statehouse marriage rally
By Christine Williams

Gov. Mitt Romney receives applause from traditional marriage supporters at a Nov. 19 rally on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse. At the rally, speakers vowed to continue the fight to advance the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would restore the traditional definition of marriage in Massachusetts. The amendment effort suffered a setback Nov. 9 when the Legislature recessed its constitutional convention without voting on the measure. Pilot photo/Gregory L. Tracy

BOSTON -- Thousands rallied on the steps of the Statehouse Nov. 19 in support of the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would restore the traditional definition of marriage in Massachusetts. The rally was called after the Legislature recessed its constitutional convention without taking up the amendment on Nov. 9.

The crowd, which spilled down the Statehouse steps and across Beacon Street was estimated by Boston Police to number 5,000 people. While the vast majority were traditional marriage supporters, a group of same-sex marriage supporters stood at the rear of the crowd waving signs and chanting in opposition to the rally.

“It does not say may vote or vote if its own procedure permits a vote or vote if there are enough members in the chamber. It says shall vote!” Romney said.

“As I listened to the debate in the legislative session 10 days ago, I was struck by the irony and the hypocrisy,” he added. “Legislators so energized to protect the newly discovered ‘right’ to marry for some citizens had no compunction whatsoever about trampling the long established constitutional right of the people to vote.”

Addressing the crowd, Gov. Mitt Romney said that the 109 legislators who voted to recess the constitutional convention until Jan. 2, the last day of this legislative session, have rejected the law and violated their oath of office. The Massachusetts constitution clearly states that the Legislature “shall” vote on every qualified petition, he said... (Click "Source" to continue)