After two and a half days with little to no sleep, it’s time to crawl into bed and truly rest. In attending the United for Our Future Rally tonight at the State Capitol, I know that I am not the only one going on little sleep.
Thank you to every single person out there that fought tirelessly the past couple of days – and all year, for that matter – to help us achieve what no state has done before us: a defeat on an anti-marriage amendment.
Before I fall into slumber, I wanted to share with you the statement released from Richard Carlbom, Campaign Manager of Minnesotans United, on the win:
Today, the people of Minnesota spoke loudly and clearly and became the first state in the country to defeat this kind of hurtful, freedom-limiting amendment. They said no to limiting the freedom of committed and loving couples in Minnesota, they said no to singling out and excluding one group of people from a basic freedom just because of who they are, and they said no to telling some people it’s illegal to marry the person they love.
The strength of this campaign was our thousands of volunteers, and our broad and diverse coalition of partners. This campaign did something that has never been done before: it brought together people of all faiths, in all communities, and of all political affiliations on the principle that freedom means freedom for everybody. The strength of those who have come together and worked to defeat this amendment was rewarded today, and without their work, this would not have been possible.
This campaign has changed the course of politics in our state forever. Over the course of the last year and a half, we’ve sparked an honest, statewide conversation about why marriage matters and who should have the freedom to participate in it. Today, Minnesotans voted in favor of love, freedom, and fairness – because that’s what this state is about.
For many, faith in what is good has been restored.
Goodnight, Minnesota.
-Mark
