Tag Archives: fire

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota House stood ready to vote to make the state the 12th to legalize gay marriage Thursday, as rallies planned for and against the measure prompted heightened security at the Capitol.

House Democratic leaders and supporters of the measure expressed confidence they had sufficient votes to pass the measure and appealed to Republicans to join in its passage. If successful, the state Senate would take up the legislation on Monday, paving the way for Gov. Mark Dayton to sign it next week.

Debate in the House was due to start at midday.

Just last fall Minnesota voters were deciding on a constitutional amendment to fortify a gay marriage ban. The amendment failed and the campaign made a swift 180-degree turn, helped along by a Democratic takeover of the Legislature.

Thousands of people were expected at the Capitol for the historic vote. Orange-shirted backers of gay marriage started arriving several hours before the debate.

Gay marriage opponents said they expected more than 1,000 people who share their views to rally at the Capitol. The Rev. Steve Goold of New Hope Church led followers in a morning prayer before they set out to lobby lawmakers. He told them they had the power to change minds, but urged them to be respectful.

“Do not shout and boo. Pray,” Goold said.

Some opponents held bright pink signs that said “Vote no.”

Minnesota lawmakers were advised that security would be stepped up, with 30 to 40 additional security officers and restricted access to gallery viewing space and other areas of the building. State troopers posted squad cars near several entrances, and signs were posted warning that admittance to the building would be denied once it reached an unspecified capacity.

“It all has to do with the size and tenor of the crowd. If we have a volatile situation we’re not going to throw more fuel on the fire,” said State Patrol Maj. Bob Myerson, who leads the Capitol security detail. “As far as anyone’s recollection, we’re looking at potentially the largest crowd anyone can remember assembled inside the Capitol.”

Read the original post:

Minn. House prepares to vote on gay marriage