Thousands Crowd Hawaii Capitol For Anti-Gay Rally

Thousands of red-shirted anti-gay Christian activists jammed Hawaii's capitol building in Honolulu yesterday to protest a proposed bill legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples.

In a turnout that surprised even event organizers, more than 2,000 people representing dozens of local churches, temples, synagogues and mosques descended on the state Capitol yesterday to protest a bill that would establish civil unions between same-sex partners. Demonstrators clad in bright red filled the first level of the Rotunda and spilled out across the surrounding lawns.

Some took up positions around the block, holding signs that read "No Civil Union," "Destroy the Core of 444," "We Sed No Already" and "Turn to Jesus or Burn in Hell." House Bill 444 passed the House earlier this month. The measure is in jeopardy of dying in the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee with potential swing vote Sen. Robert Bunda (D-22nd North Shore, Wahiawa) announcing that he would vote against it.

As it looks right now, the bill will not get out of committee in the Hawaii Senate.