Mayor Newsom Reacts to Prop. 8 Ruling
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)_ San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says he's grateful for Judge Walker's decision on Thursday, but he's also aware it doesn't end the fight against Prop 8.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is calling Thursday's Prop. 8 ruling bittersweet; sweet because the stay was lifted and bitter because it won't allow same-sex marriages until next week at the earliest.
"There's obviously some disappointment that they couldn't come today, but this gives people time to call friends and family and organize. I imagine there will be a lot of proposals in the next week as well as a lot of enthusiasm and excitement," said the mayor.
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Newsom says there were 63 volunteers ready this afternoon to start marrying same-sex couples and that they were prepared to extend City Hall's hours until 8 p.m. Thursday night and on Friday and that they would open over the weekend to marry same-sex couples.
But Newsom says if he's learned anything in the past six years it's to be patient.
"All I know about this debating process is that there are good days and bad days. There's progress and setbacks, but we're leaning in the right direction and that's why I think a lot of us should be very thankful and optimistic for the judge's decision today," added Newsom.
Mayor Newsom says this is cautionary since Prop. 8 supporters can appeal before next week and affect the outcome, but he says volunteers will be ready to start marrying same-sex couples at City Hall next week.
