Marriage Ban Supporters Appeal To Supreme Court To Get Proposition 8 Trial Cameras Removed
Supporters of the marriage ban in California have, according to the Los Angeles Times, appealed to the Supreme Court to attempt to block the internet broadcasting of the first federal case that will explore if the banning of gay marriage is unconstitutional.
Leaving it to the last moment possible, proponents of Proposition 8, the measure which placed a ban on gay marriage in the Californian Constitution and overturned a state Supreme ruling that same sex couples could marry, have appealed to the US Supreme Court to ask that the broadcast ruling by US District Judge Vaugn Walker be dismissed following a rejection of their appeal by the federal appeals court.
Filed with Justice Anthony M Kennedy on Saturday these supporters believe the broadcasting of the trial on the video sharing site Youtube would prevent their client having a fair trial, saying within the appeal that it “has the potential to become a media circus… The record is already replete with evidence showing that any publicizing of support for Prop. 8 has inevitably led to harassment, economic reprisal, threats, and even physical violence.”
Judge Vaughn Walker, who is presiding over what is expected to be a three week case, was able to rule in favour of allowing cameras in the court following the introduction of a pilot scheme approved by the governing body for federal courts in Western states that allows camera into civil trials. Proponents of the marriage ban are obviously unhappy with the decision, however it’s been met with quite the opposite response by challengers to Proposition 8, as well by medai coalitions that include CNN and Court TV, with their lawyers stating “If there is a public benefit to public trials – and there is – then there is also a public benefit to complete access to public trials.”
Justice Kennedy, to whom the appeal was filed has the authority to either make a decision by himself or with colleagues. As of Sunday afternoon there had been no sign of Kennedy taking any action on the appeal.
Via On Top Magazine (story) and ProComKelly(photo).
