Huffington Post by Fred Karger

Posted October 20, 2008 11:40 AM (EST)

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Mormon Power Grab: It’s Tearing Families Apart
By Fred Karger

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose followers are more widely-known as Mormons, has swooped into two election battles against gay marriage this year. The Mormon Church is exercising its might in both California and Arizona like never before. If passed on November 4, Proposition 8 in California would immediately eliminate the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. In Arizona, Proposition 102 would write this discrimination into their Constitution by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. In both states, the Mormon Church has hijacked these campaigns.

On June 20th, three days after same-sex marriage became legal in California, the top leadership in the Church, known as the First Presidency, sent a letter to be read to all Mormons to “do all you can to pass Proposition 8.” The Wall Street Journal reported on September 20th, that church members were told “their souls would be in jeopardy” if they do not donate money. Mormons are already required to give 10% of their income to the church, so these donations dig further into the savings accounts of its followers.

Despite tough economic times, an amazing 59,000 Mormon families have succumbed to substantial pressure from church elders, and have given huge amounts of money to California’s Yes on 8 campaign. These Mormon families have given a staggering $18.6 million since June 1st and the total grows daily. This represents 77% of all money raised and 88% of all individual money raised (not including funds from the big out of state organizations). In Arizona where a gay marriage ban is back on the ballot after losing just two years ago, Mormon families have contributed nearly all of the $6.9 million to the Yes on 102 campaign. What is going on here?

Blog reports are popping up indicating Church elders are calling certain members and arranging one-on-one visits to discuss a prearranged “suggested donation amounts.” The Wall Street Journal reported that one conference call arranged by the Church had between 40 and 60 participants. A Church elder told everyone on the call that he should give $25,000 to Yes on 8. Analysis of the California Secretary of State website shows that worked. There have been 81 contributions of $25,000, and dozens more of between $26,000 and $$500,000.

Not all members are convinced this is the best idea. Andrew Callahan stood up to the church’s call for donations, saying it struck of discrimination, and he refused to donate. This incredible display of coercion explains why many members are scared to say no. Callahan’s case is going to be reviewed AFTER the election.

An article by Daniel Scarpinato in the September 17th Arizona Daily Star details a growing opinion that this battle represents Mormon attempts to clean up its battered image. With court cases continuing to link Mormon fringe groups and polygamy, this could be a crafty attempt to resuscitate their image, at the expense of gays and lesbians.

Last week in Salt Lake City, a group of 40 Mormons who support gay marriage delivered protest letters and bundles of carnations to church headquarters in an appeal to end the church’s support of the ballot initiatives to ban same-sex marriage.

These courageous protesters were there to “out” the Mormon Church for forcing so many Mormon families to give vast sums from their savings to these two ballot propositions. Because of this Church mandate, families are being torn apart.

How many of these tens of thousands of Mormon families, who have contributed the $18.6 million, have gays and lesbians in their immediate family? How many parents are forced to give thousands of dollars publicly at the expense of their gay son or lesbian daughter? What about a gay brother or sister in the family? Or an aunt or uncle or cousin or brother-in-law who is gay? What permanent damage does this cause these innocent victims of the Mormon Church’s power grab? How many families will be irreparably damaged by their actions?

In its quest to show the Catholics, Christians, Evangelicals and other religions that it has the money and power to take over these hateful campaigns, they are hurting more than just those from whom they wish to take away equality. They are tearing apart the very families they claim they are there to help.

Ask The Mormon Church To Remove Pepperdine’s Name From Yes on 8 Commercials

ACTION ALERT October 17, 2008 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008

Mormon Church President Called Upon to Honor
Pepperdine University President’s Request
to Have Their Name Removed From Yes on Prop 8 Ads

LOS ANGELES, CA – Californians Against Hate today sent a letter to Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and asked him to use his influence to have the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign remove any reference to Pepperdine University in its advertising. Pepperdine University President Andrew K. Benton released a memorandum on October 15th to all University Students and Staff explaining Pepperdine’s neutrality and its desire to have its name pulled from all advertising. Pepperdine first made this request two weeks ago, but as Mr. Benton states in his memorandum, the campaign has “refused” to do so. Pepperdine’s name is used in conjunction with one of its Assistant Law Professors, Richard Peterson who is also a member of the Mormon Church.

The Mormon Church has made the passage of Californians Proposition 8 its major priority. Mormon Church members have given in excess of $18.8 million as of October 1st – over 77% of all the money raised by the Yes on 8 campaign since June 1, 2008.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW!

CALL THE MORMON CHURCH PRESIDENT AND ASK HIM TO USE HIS INFLUENCE TO HAVE THE YES ON 8 CAMPAIGN REMOVE PEPPERDINE’S NAME FROM ALL ADVERTISIING – THEY ARE NEUTRAL. THEN CALL RON PRENTICE AND FRANK SCHUBERT, THE LEADERS OF YES ON 8, AND DEMAND THAT THEY REMOVE PEPPERDINE’S NAME IMMEDIATELY.

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL, BUT LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR PEPPERDINE’S REQUEST.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Contact Information for Letter Recipients:

President Thomas Monson 801-240-1000 email: OwenTL@LDSChurch.org

Ron Prentice, Chairman Yes on 8 Campaign 951-354-8362

Frank Schubert, Campaign Manager 916-448-4234 email: frank@schubertflintpa.com

Copies of both the letter from Californians Against Hate to Mormon Church President Thomas S. Monson and the memorandum from Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton are below:

October 17, 2008

Thomas S. Monson
President
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 W North Temple StSalt Lake City UT 84150
VIA FAX 801-240-1899

Dear President Monson:

I am writing today to ask your immediate help in honoring the most recent request of Pepperdine University President Andrew K. Benton of October 15, 2008 (see memorandum below) to remove the name of Pepperdine University in connection with all Yes on Proposition 8 advertising on television, radio, the internet and direct mail. The University first stated its neutrality right after the Yes on 8 commercials featuring Assistant Law Professor Richard Peterson began airing over two weeks ago. Pepperdine officials have repeatedly asked the Yes on 8 campaign to remove their name from all advertising. The Yes on 8 campaign has “refused” their request. As the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a man of decency and honor, I would hope that you would do everything within your power to have the Pepperdine reference removed from all Yes on 8 advertising immediately.

The Mormon Church has made this campaign their number one priority since your letter was read to all church members on June 29, 2008: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage

The Mormon Church has by all its actions over the last 4 months assumed nearly complete control over the campaign to eliminate same-sex marriage in California.

Members of the Mormon Church have contributed over $18.6 million — 77% of the $22.8 million raised by Yes on 8 since June 1, 2008. The Mormon Church is organizing all its members, issuing press releases, sending out millions of hand addressed letters to voters, using its missionaries and former missionaries to walk nearly every precinct in California, phoning millions of voters, asking college students from BYU and other schools to come to California to work on the campaign, broadcasting messages to all your members http://www.preservingmarriage.org/videos.html and I am sure many more activities of which we are unaware.

Even Assistant Law Professor Richard Peterson, who is the subject of the Pepperdine request, is a member of the Mormon Church. http://www.pepperdine.edu/pepperdinepeople/2005fall/features/advocate.htm

We at Californians Against Hate hope that you will apologize to President Benton and every Pepperdine student, faculty member and alumni for this blatant disregard of their request and honor it immediately.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Fred Karger
Campaign Manager
Californians Against Hate
http://californiansagainsthate.com/
619-592-2008

cc: President Andrew K. Benton, Pepperdine University
Ron Prentice, Chairman, Yes on 8
Frank Schubert, Campaign Manager, Yes on 8

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: University Students and Staff
FROM: Andrew K. Benton
RE: University Neutrality and the 2008 Election
DATE: October 15, 2008

As many of you are aware, a series of political ads on radio and TV has drawn much unwanted attention to Pepperdine. The ads, advocating for Proposition 8, feature one of our professors and lists his affiliation with the University.

I want to convey the following concerning this matter: Pepperdine University remains steadfastly neutral during election periods in all political campaigns, and this includes the debate over Prop 8. We respect our faculty, staff, and students’ right to be involved in the political process; indeed, we encourage engagement in the political process.

The Yes on 8 Campaign is using the Pepperdine name in a manner in which we do not approve. We asked the campaign to separate more clearly their partisan cause from our University’s name, but they refused. We ask all who are affiliated with the University to take care not to implicate the University in their respective political causes.

Finally, we ask our students, faculty, and staff to help clear up misunderstandings with those who may ask concerning Pepperdine’s perceived role in a campaign in which it is not involved. We appreciate your understanding, assistance, and patience during what has been a trying time for many at Pepperdine. I urge you to familiarize yourself with the 2008 candidates and issues, and vote your conscience.

— end —

Lots More News Coverage From Around the World

Newspapers

Los Angeles Times — http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-juice9-2008oct09,0,4032084.story

Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot — Cindy Frazier — http://coastlinepilot.com/cpblogger/cfrazier/

South Florida Blade — http://southfloridablade.com/2008/10-2/news/localnews/5118.cfm

San Diego Union Tribune — http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20081007-9999-1n7prop8.html

Produce News — http://www.producenews.com/StoryNews.cfm?ID=8130

Television

KGET-TV Bakersfield — http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c6c65004-b367-4956-9d90-ee8eb02e3c05

Blogs

Boya Venkateschwarlu MCJ– http://venkey.blog.co.in/2008/08/28/gay-activists-target-businesses/

Queercents — http://www.queercents.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-readers-keep-buying-bolthouse/

Feed Buzz — http://www.buzzfeed.com/eliot/bolthouse-ban

Daily Koz — http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/5/171142/9458/387/530481

Basic Rights Oregon — http://www.basicrights.org/?cat=2

2015 Place — http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?Section=66&ID=20395

Basic Rights Oregon — http://www.basicrights.org/?p=381

Alliance Power — http://allianceofpower.blogspot.com/2008/10/boycott-bolthouse-farms-says-glbt-group.html

Topix Chicago — http://www.topix.net/news/gay/2008/10/glbt-org-announces-boycott-of-bolthouse-farms

Gay Blog Headlines — http://www.gayblogheadlines.com/2008/10/combined-gay-blog-headlines-t15g-1_1656.html

Gay Link News — http://www.gaylinkcontent.com/prdetail.cfm?id=13784

GLBT Digest — http://rayslistglbtnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/glbt-digest-october-06-2008.html

Queer Cents — http://www.queercents.com/2008/10/01/ask-the-readers-keep-buying-bolthouse/

Box Turtle Bulletin — http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/08/17/2670

Basic Rights Oregon — http://www.basicrights.org/?p=396

Queers United — http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2008/10/bolthouse-farms-has-change-of-heart.html

Basic Rights Oregon — http://www.basicrights.org/?p=403

Knowledge for Thirst — http://www.knowledgeforthirst.com/2008/bolthouse-ban-ends/

Good As You — http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2008/10/for-those-who-b.html

G & L Activism — http://www.goodasyou.org/

To Form a More Perfect Union — http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/2008/10/ca-improvements.html

Queerty — http://www.queerty.com/gay-activists-call-off-bolthouse-boycott-20081009/

On Top — http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=2520&MediaType=1&Category=26

Gay City News — http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c6c65004-b367-4956-9d90-ee8eb02e3c05

Kevin Hunter — http://kevinhuntersblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/californians-against-hate-publishes-updated-dishonor-roll-of-over-740-contributors-of-5000-and-more-to-yes-on-prop-8/

Towleroad — http://www.towleroad.com/2008/10/alert-propositi.html

glaadBlog — http://glaadblog.org/index.php/2008/10/09/top-stories-today-10092008/

Edge Boston — http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=81666

Joe My God — http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/10/bolthouse-farms-boycott-ends.html

2015 Place — http://www.2015place.com/2008/10/combined-gay-news-headlines-t5t-1_09.html

Settlement Reached Between Bolthouse Farms and Californians Against Hate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2008 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008

Settlement Reached Between Bolthouse Farms and Californians Against Hate
“Don’t Buy Bolthouse” Campaign Ends Today

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED TODAY BY FRED KARGER, CAMPAIGN MANAGER OF CALIFORNIANS AGAINST HATE.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today Californians Against Hate has reached agreement with Bolthouse Farms and will immediately end its “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” campaign.

Jeffrey Dunn, President and CEO of Bolthouse Farms, has provided us with a compelling perspective which clearly demonstrates the separation between Bolthouse Farms and the Bolthouse Foundation and its founder, William Bolthouse and provides us with confidence that Bolthouse Farms is committed to working productively with the LGBT community. Furthermore, Bolthouse Farms has embarked on a comprehensive diversity program designed to support inclusiveness in its dealings with all stakeholders including the LGBT community. The LGBT program includes scholarships, event sponsorship and activation, as well as support for community organizations working on LGBT equality issues. These community organizations include The Williams Institute, Human Rights Campaign, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Equality California Institute, The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Bolthouse Farms has also demonstrated internal commitment through its human resource management by implementing changes in its corporate HR policies. Bolthouse Farms has recently added medical benefits to same-sex partners of LGBT employees, and it will work quickly toward achieving a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.

We are encouraged and grateful for Bolthouse Farm’s support of full equality for all.

NOTE: Link to today’s L A Times Story on Settlement:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-juice9-2008oct09,0,4032084.story

— end —

Dishonor Roll Released — 741 Yes on 8 Donors Listed

NEWS RELEASE October 8, 2008 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008

Californians Against Hate Publishes Updated Dishonor Roll of Over 740 Contributors of $5,000 and More to “Yes on Prop. 8”

LOS ANGELES, CA – Two days after the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign released its voluminous campaign report of all the money raised and spent during the previous 4 months, Californians Against Hate posted all its donor’s names, cities, business affiliations (when available) and contributions of over $5,000 on its web site’s Dishonor Roll:

https://californiansagainsthate.com/index.html

Since it lasted posted the names and dollar amounts on the Dishonor Roll back in September, there have been and additional 629 donors of $5,000 and more. The top 12 include the #1 donor to Yes on 8, The Knights of Columbus, the political arm of the Catholic Church out of New Haven, CT which gave $1,275,000 to end marriage equality in California. They are followed closely by the National Organization for Marriage located in Princeton, NJ which gave $941,134.80. Then John Templeton, Jr. of Bryn Mawr, PA at $900,000. He is the son of the late John Templeton who founded Templeton Funds, and just passed away this year at 95 years old. Then comes Howard “Howie” Ahmanson, heir to the Home Savings and Loan fortune, who upped his contribution from $600,000 on our last report to $900,000 as of October 1st.
The next 8 top association and individual donors who must really not like same-sex marriage either are in order:

American Family Association, Tupelo, MS $500,000

Elsa Prince, Holland, MI $450,000

Focus On the Family, Colorado Springs, CO $439,643.66

Concerned Women for America, Washington DC $409,000

Robert Hurtt, Orange, CA $300,000

Terry Caster & Family, San Diego, CA $293,000

Dorothy Nielson, La Verne, CA $150,000

Doug Manchester, San Diego, CA $125,000

Following these 12 are 8 more who gave $125,000 and $100,000. They are followed by 721 more donors of $5,000 and more, an unprecedented number of contributors of this magnitude to a California ballot initiative.

“I am guessing that these huge numbers represent the handy work of the Mormon Church, which made these contributions almost mandatory,” said Fred Karger, Campaign Manager of Californians Against Hate. “We got this information from a recent Wall Street Journal story, by Mark Schoofs, who was able to uncover the methods that were used to get the thousands of contributions by individuals or their companies to the Yes on 8 campaign:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122186063716658279.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Additional information on the mega- Mormon contributors can be found on the Mormons for Proposition 8 web site: http://mormonsfor8.com/

“It appears that at least 75% of the $25 million raised by Yes on 8 is from members of the Mormon Church. It is very disheartening to see the names of the hundreds of people from all over the United States who have given $5,000 and more who feel that strongly about same-sex marriage in California. It seems like there are so many other causes to give their millions of dollars to, where it could really help people instead of hurting them,” concluded Karger.
— end —

Don’t Buy Bolthouse Demonstration Washington, DC

NEWS RELEASE October 6, 2008 Contact; Fred Karger 619-592-2008

“Don’t Buy Bolthouse” Washington, DC Demonstration Held At Whole Foods
3rd Demonstration in Last 3 Weeks

WASHINGTON, DC – At its third demonstration in 3 weeks, an enthusiastic group of dedicated volunteers spent Sunday afternoon in front of the Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) in the heart of Washington’s Gay Neighborhood. This protest follows similar ones held in Los Angeles and New York the previous two weekends. The demonstrations against Bolthouse Farms are because of a $100,000 contribution from William Bolthouse, Jr. to California’s Protect Marriage – Yes on Proposition 8 Campaign. If passed, Proposition 8 would eliminate same-sex marriage in California.

Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC http://www.mdcp.com/ a Chicago based private equity firm, currently owns 72% of Bolthouse Farms and Bolthouse family members own 28%. William Bolthouse, Jr. owns Bolthouse Properties, and leases over 7,000 acres to Bolthouse Farms that is used to grow their crops.

Demonstrators held up signs and handed out “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” flyers to hundreds of shoppers entering the Whole Foods Market. The flagship store is located just a few blocks off DuPont Circle in the heart of the capitol’s heavily gay district. The store is 40,000 square feet and is the largest Whole Foods in Washington, DC. Whole Foods carries Bolthouse Farms Drinks in the produce section of its store.

William Bolthouse’s huge financial support was one of the main reasons that this constitutional initiative qualified for the November 4th ballot. His money helped enable Protect Marriage to hire hundreds of paid professional petition circulators to collect the signatures necessary to qualify this initiative for the ballot.

Mayita and Anderson the Mighty Duo Out Front of Whole Foods
Andrew and John, Who Have Been Together for 7 Years, Live in Salt Lake City, But Joined in the Demonstration

Joey, Jason and Ward Ready for the Next Shopper

“We will continue to work hard to get the message out to the gay and lesbian community and our millions of friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers all over the United States to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse.” In the weeks ahead, more demonstrations may be held around the country. Everyone across the United States will be aware of Mr. Boathouse’s $100,000 contribution to eliminate marriage in California,” said Fred Karger, Campaign Manager of Californians Against Hate, which organized Sunday’s Washington, DC demonstration and the two held the previous weekends at Ralphs Supermarket in Los Angeles and Whole Foods Columbus Circle in New York.

Metro Photographer Taking His Shot

Anderson Explaining Why to Not Buy Bolthouse
There are many other juices, carrot brands, coffee drinks and salad dressings available without the Bolthouse name attached. Right next to the Bolthouse drinks at Whole Foods you can choose from Odwalla, Purity, Naked Natural Energy, Jamba and Evolution. Lots of options – just “Don’t Buy Bolthouse.” Check out our web site for more on “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” http://www.dontbuybolthouse.com/

Mayita Met Two Californians Happy to Hear About the Public Awareness Campaign

DC Greg Proclaiming the Marriage Should be For All
And go to our blog for more great pictures from our Washington, DC. New York and Los Angeles demonstrations: http://californiansagainsthate.blogspot.com/

“William Bolthouse’s $100,000 contribution is an insult to gay and lesbian Americans,” concluded Karger. Why should we spend our hard-earned money buying Bolthouse Farms’ products only to have it used against us?”

On September 20, 2008, Fred Karger released a letter explaining our actions and the reasons for “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” in a letter that was faxed to Bolthouse Farms Chairman, Andre Radandt (William Bolthouse’s son-in-law) and William Bolthouse, Jr. A copy of the letter can be found at: http://www.dontbuybolthouse.com/letter.html

Bolthouse Farms likes to say that William Bolthouse, Jr. is not involved in the company, but a quick look on its web site http://www.bolthouse.com/html/trade_company_history.html says that the third (William Bolthouse, Jr.) and fourth Bolthouse generations (Andre Redandt, his son-in-law) operate the company.
— end —

Don’t Buy Bolthouse Washington, DC Demonstration

Media Advisory October 4, 2008 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008

Sunday Demonstration at Whole Foods Market
Washington, DC Flagship Store in Heart of Gay Neighborhod

William Bolthouse, Jr. Gave $100,000 to California’s Yes on Proposition 8 to Eliminate Same-Sex Marriage

WASHINGTON, DC – Californians Against Hate will hold a small mid-day demonstration tomorrow, Sunday, October 5th at 12:00 noon in front of Whole Foods Market – 1440 P Street, NW, Washington, DC. The demonstration is part of a national campaign to ask American consumers to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” (Farms) fruit, vegetable and coffee drinks, carrots (they are the 2nd largest producer in the world) and salad dressings. Demonstrators will hand out flyers to shoppers and ask them to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse,” because of the mega-contribution by company founder William Bolthouse, Jr. to end gay marrige in California. Over the last two weeks, similar demonstrations were held in Los Angeles and New York.
William Bolthouse contributed $100,000 this year to California’s Protect Marriage / Yes on Proposition 8 Campaign. If passed on November 4th, this constitutional initiative would eliminate same-sex marriage in California. His huge financial support was one of the main reasons that Proposition 8 qualified for the November 4th ballot. His money helped enable the committee to hire hundreds of paid professional petition circulators to collect the signatures necessary to qualify this initiative for the November ballot.

Two weeks ago, Fred Karger, Campaign Manager for Californians Against Hate sent a letter to Bolthouse Farms Chairman, Andre Radandt (William Bolthouse’s son-in-law) and in it he said:

“As of Saturday, September 20, 2008, we will embark on an effort to get the message out to the gay and lesbian community and our millions of friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers all over the United States to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse.”

There are many other juices, carrot brands, coffee drinks and salad dressings available without the Bolthouse name attached. Right next to the Bolthouse drinks you can choose from Odwalla, Purely Juice, Naked Natural Energy, Jamba and Evolution. Lots of options – just “Don’t Buy Bolthouse.”

We have set up a web site, too: http://www.dontbuybolthouse.com/

“William Bolthouse’s $100,000 contribution is an insult to gay and lesbian Americans. Why should we spend our hard-earned money buying Bolthouse Farms’ products only to have it used against us?” concluded Karger.

— end —

Check Out All Our News Coverage

Bay Area Reporter — http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3328

The Advocate — http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?ID=20439

The Advocate.com — http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid62084.asp

Blogs

Gay Wired — http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?Section=66&ID=20395

Towleroad — http://www.towleroad.com/2008/09/joan-rivers-add.html

News Blaze — http://newsblaze.com/story/20080920064801tsop.nb/topstory.html

Marriage Equality News — http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/2008/09/ca-prop-8-oppon.html

Lavender Newswire — http://news.lavenderliberal.com/2008/09/20/dont-buy-bolthouse-demonstration-saturday-in-hollywood/

Protect Marriage Equality — http://blog.protectmarriageequality.com/2008/09/22/boycott-launched-against-bolthouse-farms/

Gay News Blog — http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/boycott-launched-against-bolthouse.html

On Top Magazine — http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=2427&MediaType=1&Category=26

AIDS – Write.org — http://aids-write.org/?p=912

Gay News Blog — http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/gay-marriage-proponents-target-business.html

San Diego Home — http://sandiegomeetup.com/blog/2008/09/22/know-the-players-californians-against-hate-cah-publishes/

Oh No! — http://noceleb.com/10/no-moar-carrot-juice/

Pink News — http://www.pinknews.co.uk/aroundtheworld/2008/09/gay-marriage-proponents-target-business-owners/

The Majority Report — http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=3600&ptid=9

Inland Empire Blog — http://mycitycorona.blogspot.com/2008/09/local-contributes-to-yes-on-proposition.html

The Edge Boston — http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=79499

Bilerico Project — http://www.bilerico.com/2008/09/bolthouse_farm_madness.php

California Majority Report — http://camajorityreport.com.s9111.gridserver.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=3600&ptid=9

Life In Dreaming — http://alifeindreaming.blogspot.com/2008/09/dishonor-roll.html

Majority Report — http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=3611&ptid=9

Odwalla — http://www.100-search.com/2008/09/29/odwalla/
The Bilerico Project — http://www.bilerico.com/2008/09/daisy_girl_2008.php

Instant Riverside.com — http://www.instantriverside.com/riverside-ca-news/proposition-8-donors-protectmarriage-equality-ca/2008/09/30/

Ravenhurst — http://ravenhurst-ravenhurst.blogspot.com/2008/09/californians-against-hate.html

On Top — http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=2474&MediaType=1&Category=26

NGBLOG — http://nlsngrc.blogspot.com/2008/09/californians-against-hates-tv-ad.html

Gay Link — http://www.gaylinknews.com/prdetail.cfm?id=13784
http://news.

Lavender Newswire — http://news.lavenderliberal.com/2008/09/30/cahs-first-ad-takes-aim-at-a1-storage-caster-familys-293000-to-prop-8/

2015 Place.com — http://www.2015place.com/2008/09/2015place-daily-combined-gay-news.html

Gay Blog Headlines — http://www.gayblogheadlines.com/2008/10/combined-gay-blog-headlines.html

InstantRiverside.com News Story

By Craig Fiegener InstantRiverside.com

Check out this really interesting story by Craig Fiegener at InstantRiverside.com about a mega-donor to the Yes on Prop 8 Campaign

http://www.instantriverside.com/riverside-ca-news/proposition-8-donors-protectmarriage-equality-ca/2008/09/30/

A Riverside businessman is one of the area’s biggest private donors to California’s Yes on 8 campaign. Scott Jones and his wife have donated a total of $50,000 to support the proposition which, if passed by voters, will eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
Early numbers from the California Secretary of State show that both sides have amassed millions of dollars. During the next several weeks, that money will be used to buy ads on radio, TV and the internet.

Some of the top individual donors to Proposition 8 are from the Inland Empire. According to campaign-finance records, Stephen Lang — who owns Pacific Shores Masonry, based in Corona — donated $125,000. While campaign records show Jones’ contribution at $45,000, he said his wife donated an additional $5,000. Jones is a private investigator who owns Bosco Legal Services.

Other inland supporters of Prop. 8 include Dale Broome of Redlands, who donated $25,000, and David Zuniga of Riverside, who donated $25,000.
Several Chino Hills residents made donations of $5,000 each, including Renae Tanner, Michael Dushane, Jennifer Himes and Michael Calta. So did Marilyn Ishii of Upland and Corona-based M&D Development, according to the Secretary of State.
Records regarding political donations of less than $5,000 will be released on October 6. – Posted at 12:51 pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2008 by Craig Fiegener –>
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Riverside County news for the Inland Empire is always on InstantRiverside.com

New York Demonstration at Whole Foods

NEWS RELEASE Ocotber 1, 2008 Contact: Fred Karger 619-592-2008

“Don’t Buy Bolthouse” New York Demonstration
Held At Whole Foods’ Flagship Store
2nd Demonstration In the Last 2 Weeks

NEW YORK, NY – In its second demonstration in 2 weeks, a small enthusiastic group of dedicated volunteers spent last Saturday afternoon in front of the Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) in New York’s Columbus Circle. This protest follows a similar one held in Los Angeles the previous Saturday. The demonstrations against Bolthouse Farms were because of a $100,000 contribution by William Bolthouse, Jr. to California’s Protect Marriage – Yes on Proposition 8 Campaign.

Demonstrators handed out “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” flyers to hundreds of shoppers, and were well received by the curious New Yorkers. Whole Foods is the anchor business of the spacious Time Warner Center. The store is 68,000 square feet and widely considered to be Whole Foods’ flagship store. Whole Foods carries Bolthouse Farms Drinks in two separate sections of this store.


Roderick, John, Nick and Juliano Braved the Rain to Ask
Whole Foods Shoppers to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse”

William Bolthouse’s huge financial support was one of the main reasons that this constitutional initiative qualified for the November 4th ballot. His money helped enable Protect Marriage to hire hundreds of paid professional petition circulators to collect the signatures necessary to qualify this initiative for the ballot. If passed on November 4th, Proposition 8 would eliminate same-sex marriage in California.


Roderick Handing Out “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” Fliers to Shoppers

“We will continue to work hard to get the message out to the gay and lesbian community and our millions of friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers all over the United States to “Don’t Buy Bolthouse. More demonstrations are planned around the country in the weeks ahead. Everyone across this the United States will be aware of Mr. Bolthouses‘s $100,000 contribution to eliminate marriage in California,” said Fred Karger, Campaign Manager of Californians Against Hate, which organized Saturday’s New York demonstration and one the weekend before at Ralphs Supermarket in Los Angeles.

There are many other juices, carrot brands, coffee drinks and salad dressings available without the Bolthouse name attached. Right next to the Bolthouse drinks at Whole Foods you can choose from Odwalla, Purity, Naked Natural Energy, Jamba and Evolution. Lots of options – just “Don’t Buy Bolthouse.”Check out our new web site for more on “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” http://www.dontbuybolthouse.com/

“William Bolthouse’s $100,000 contribution is an insult to gay and lesbian Americans,” concluded Karger. Why should we spend our hard-earned money buying Bolthouse Farms’ products only to have it used against us?”

On September 20, 2008, Fred Karger released a letter explaining our actions and the reasons for “Don’t Buy Bolthouse” in a letter that was faxed to Bolthouse Farms Chairman, Andre Radandt (William Bolthouse’s son-in-law). A copy of the letter can be found at:
http://www.dontbuybolthouse.com/letter.html

The Entrance to Whole Foods Flagship Store on Columbus Circle