Story and photos by Rachel Buhner
Hundreds of people had gathered outside City Hall this morning to peacefully protest the Supreme Court’s 6-1 decision upholding Proposition 8. While there was undeniable anger and frustration in the air, the overall sentiment clearly indicated that the ruling wasn’t a surprise. Protesters arrived prepared, holding up signs and passing around petitions in a peaceful show of objection.
Frank Capley-Alfano, 34, sat among the circle of people gathered in the intersection of Van Ness and McAllister. A member of One Struggle, One Fight, he was accompanied by his husband, Joe, who held up an oversized replica of their marriage license. “I had a feeling deep down inside that the ruling would go the way it did,” Frank said. “I’m devastated, but I came to sit here and commit peaceful civil disobedience.”
Joe and Frank Capley-Alfano
And he did just that. At about 11:45 am, police began barricading the intersection and warned protesters to either move to the sidewalks or face arrest. Staying true to his word, Frank and his husband remained seated as officers marched in to begin arresting those who stayed behind.