Springfield marriage equality rally sets new video streaming record
Tue. October 29, 2013 7:51 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
photo credit // rick aguilar
WATCH: March on Springfield for Marriage Equality (below)
Springfield, IL -
Last Tuesday, thousands of people braved the cold rain to rally outside the Illinois state Capitol as part of the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality, setting a record as the largest ever LGBT focused rally or lobby day in Springfield.
Many more people engaged via social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and through video streaming. Organizers reported a Facebook reach of 162,000 that week; 72,000 on Tuesday, Oct. 22, alone.
The company that provides live event streaming for the State Capitol announced record viewership. Tony Yuscius of Blueroomstream video streaming service said: "Our coverage of the October 22 'March on Springfield' has received almost 15,000 views so far which is a new record for www.Blueroomstream.com." The company offers video streaming services for the Illinois General Assembly.
"A majority of Illinoisans support equal marriage," said Tracy Baim, co-chair of the March on Springfield, "because they understand that treating everyone equally is fair. The March on Springfield was a positive and uplifting showcase of the best of Illinois, with speakers and performers showing how love, faith, family and equality are at the core of the equal marriage movement."
Photos: Gallery One | Gallery Two | Gallery Three
The March was part of a broad grassroots strategy to secure final passage of Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, during the fall veto session.
"On behalf of the March on Springfield organizers and the almost 5,000 people who joined us October 22," said Kevin Boyer, co-chair of the March on Springfield, "we urge the Illinois House of Representatives to pass SB 10, the 'Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,' without delay. Seize this historical moment to put Illinois on the right side of history with a vote for fairness, equality, justice and love."
Organizers reported more than 5,000 people participated. Media reports noted several thousand and Springfield police estimated at least 3,000 people were there. The crowd chanted slogans such as "Pass the damn bill."
Marriage rights advocates remain cautiously optimistic that SB 10 will be called during the fall veto session. Illinois lawmakers return for another three-day session on Nov. 3.
Related: Record-breaking crowds rally in Springfield for marriage equality
Watch the full high definition video provided by Blueroomstream, Windy City Times and MarchonSpringfield.com.
The roster of speakers for the March on Springfield represented the breadth and depth of the equal marriage coalition in Illinois.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) welcomed the crowd. He was flanked by other top state officials, including Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Chicago), Lt. Governor Sheila Simon (D), Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka (R).
Speakers included: Pastor Jamie B. Frazier, Scott Cross, Marquell Smith, Brother Michael Oboza, Joanna Cooley, Vernita Gray, Andy Thayer, Naomi Anurag Lahiri, Cinda Klickna, Bishop Carlton Pearson, Robert Castillo, Art Johnson, Rev. Mark Kiyimba, Bonnie Grabenhofer, Liz Thompson, Michael Carrigan, LZ Granderson, and Toni Weaver. Bishop Carlton Pearson delivered the keynote address.
Musical performances included: Artemis Singers and Amasong, Windy City Performing Arts, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Steve Grand, Sami Grisafe, SONiA of disappear fear, De'Borah, Marcus Terell & the Serenades, Stephen Leonard, KOKUMO!, and Sandra Antongiorgi.
Many more people engaged via social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and through video streaming. Organizers reported a Facebook reach of 162,000 that week; 72,000 on Tuesday, Oct. 22, alone.
The company that provides live event streaming for the State Capitol announced record viewership. Tony Yuscius of Blueroomstream video streaming service said: "Our coverage of the October 22 'March on Springfield' has received almost 15,000 views so far which is a new record for www.Blueroomstream.com." The company offers video streaming services for the Illinois General Assembly.
"A majority of Illinoisans support equal marriage," said Tracy Baim, co-chair of the March on Springfield, "because they understand that treating everyone equally is fair. The March on Springfield was a positive and uplifting showcase of the best of Illinois, with speakers and performers showing how love, faith, family and equality are at the core of the equal marriage movement."
Photos: Gallery One | Gallery Two | Gallery Three
The March was part of a broad grassroots strategy to secure final passage of Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, during the fall veto session.
"On behalf of the March on Springfield organizers and the almost 5,000 people who joined us October 22," said Kevin Boyer, co-chair of the March on Springfield, "we urge the Illinois House of Representatives to pass SB 10, the 'Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act,' without delay. Seize this historical moment to put Illinois on the right side of history with a vote for fairness, equality, justice and love."
Organizers reported more than 5,000 people participated. Media reports noted several thousand and Springfield police estimated at least 3,000 people were there. The crowd chanted slogans such as "Pass the damn bill."
Marriage rights advocates remain cautiously optimistic that SB 10 will be called during the fall veto session. Illinois lawmakers return for another three-day session on Nov. 3.
Related: Record-breaking crowds rally in Springfield for marriage equality
Watch the full high definition video provided by Blueroomstream, Windy City Times and MarchonSpringfield.com.
The roster of speakers for the March on Springfield represented the breadth and depth of the equal marriage coalition in Illinois.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) welcomed the crowd. He was flanked by other top state officials, including Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Chicago), Lt. Governor Sheila Simon (D), Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka (R).
Speakers included: Pastor Jamie B. Frazier, Scott Cross, Marquell Smith, Brother Michael Oboza, Joanna Cooley, Vernita Gray, Andy Thayer, Naomi Anurag Lahiri, Cinda Klickna, Bishop Carlton Pearson, Robert Castillo, Art Johnson, Rev. Mark Kiyimba, Bonnie Grabenhofer, Liz Thompson, Michael Carrigan, LZ Granderson, and Toni Weaver. Bishop Carlton Pearson delivered the keynote address.
Musical performances included: Artemis Singers and Amasong, Windy City Performing Arts, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Steve Grand, Sami Grisafe, SONiA of disappear fear, De'Borah, Marcus Terell & the Serenades, Stephen Leonard, KOKUMO!, and Sandra Antongiorgi.