Action Call: Anti-Marraige Amendment Hearing is Tuesday 4/4

04/01/2006

Dear DFLer,

The time to stop the anti-marriage amendment is now. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear this divisive and discriminatory bill next Tuesday, April 4th, and we need your help to send a clear message that Minnesota will not stand for this. We will not allow right-wing extremists to enshrine discrimination in our state constitution.

With support for the constitutional marriage amendment declining among Minnesotans, Republican legislators have been furiously introducing numerous bills with various wording in hopes of getting this amendment on the ballot in November. With an agenda that fails to address the everyday needs of folks, Republicans’ only hope of turning out the vote is to mobilize their extremist base with this wedge issue. It is imperative that we stop this effort. Our constitution is meant to protect rights, NOT discriminate against individuals.

Our legislators have been working hard to fight this discriminatory amendment and they need our support. The Republican opposition is extremely well organized, and we must be too. Your participation is vital and there are a number of ways you can help.

Please make your voice heard on this issue in one of the following ways:

- Call the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee:

Senator Warren Limmer (651) 296-2159

Senator David Hann (651) 296-1749

Senator Tom Neuville (651) 296-1279

Senator Julianne Ortman (651) 296-4837

- Write a letter to the editor in your local paper:

Explain why you personally oppose the anti-marriage amendment. Do you object to writing discrimination into our constitution? Do you worry that this issue is distracting our government from other issues? Are you concerned about how the amendment threatens the rights of unmarried hetero- and homosexual couples?

The most successful letters are around 150 words long, and written from the heart.

- Attend the hearing at the State Capitol:

Tuesday, April 4. Noon in Room 15.

Tickets are available from Senator Bachmann and Senator Dibble’s offices.

Tickets are going fast. If you are unable to obtain tickets to the hearing itself, it is still vital that we have a strong presence opposing this bill at the Capitol. Please consider attending on Tuesday.

Your voice and involvement are critical in keeping the anti-marriage amendment off the ballot. Now is the time for Minnesotans to stand up against the attempts to write discrimination into our state’s founding document. Help ensure that our inclusive and positive message is heard at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Thank you for supporting a vision of Minnesota based on justice and equality for all.

- Donna
Donna Cassutt, Associate Chair
MinnesotaDFL Party