Chicago Gay Activist Andy Thayer fined for Proposition 8 Protest
A Gay Rights Activist in Chicago has been fined $500 by a Chicago judge for a permit violation related to a Proposition 8 Protest in Chicago’s Loop in November.Andy Thayer, an office manager for a Chicago law firm and a chief organizer for Chicago’s Gay Liberation Network, was found guilty last week of violating a permit issued for a November protest organized in response to the passage of California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage.
Thayer had secured the permit for the protest to take place at Chicago’s Federal Plaza, however at the end of the rally, when one speaker egged on the 5,000 plus protesters to take to the streets to continue the protest, the assembled crowd then proceed to march through Chicago’s Loop.
Chicago Police Officers at the rally said that was a violation of Thayer’s permit and issued Thayer a ticket.
Although prosecutors couldn’t prove that Thayer had incited the crowd to violate the permit, Thayer was found guilty.
“The cops say that I alone was nailed for the parade permit violation on that day because it was my name on the Federal Plaza permit and that it would have been hazardous to stop the parade and write tickets for the other 4,999 people there,” Thayer said to the Chicago Examiner.
Thayer could have received ten days in jail and been fined up to $1,000.
The Gay Liberation Network has established a protesters defense fund to aid Thayer in paying the fine. For more information on the fund or GLN visit them online.
Reported by Paula Brooks - Lez Get Real
The Best of Gay Chicago
Categories: Community,News and Happenings,Non-Profits
Tags: proposition 8 gay marriage prop 8
I think the police are right that he should pay the penalty, after all he took responsibility for the permit and therefore whatever happened. I think it's right that a bigger group came to the rescue as well though.
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I watched the Fox report Nov 19 09 on the face off with Jody Weis or whatever the lastname was and called Fox to get info to contact Andy Thayer to let him know that is is not only Fioerti or whatever his name was,but there are other. On Sunday Nov.16 09 I was given a DUI and the Policeman used anti gay anti Mexican remarks to me.
The Two Police officers were Porterican and just to let you know . I Train Drivers for Federal Express and on Tuesday was dismissed but I'm waiting for trial on Jan 7, 2010. Can you give my info to him Andy Thayer please call me.... cause I live in Indiana and was just visiting. This has turned my life upsidedown and I lost my car due to the mayors 1500.00 impoundment.I can't afford that!
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