[Apr. 9] Gay marriage activists are always under fire for one demonstration or another. Having people hear their thoughts on same-sex marriage is crucial for making a difference in their cause. What happens when Target, a large chain store steps in and gets the people associated with the activists group thrown in jail? One such group is Canvass for a Cause, headed by Tres Watson. The Target Corporation pressed charges against protester outside of one of their San Diego chain stores in March 2011. Now, after the a San Diego Superior Court judge deliberated, volunteers associated with the Canvass for a Cause charity are free to protest in the vicinity of the San Diego Target store, within certain guidelines.
The Target Corporation had apparently donated more than $150,000 to a Minnesota politician openly against the recognition and legalization of gay marriage. In an effort to shut down the protests, Target officials at the store had the protesters arrested and charged with intimidating customers and scaring them away from the store.
Watson commented:
"It's very David vs. Goliath. We understand they're the Goliath in the room. They've got all money in world to get us to stop talking about gay marriage. We train our staff and volunteers very carefully in techniques in winning people over. When you're trying to persuade voters and reach out to the community with a message, there is no advantage to being aggressive."
In the month before, Lady Gaga, who had originally signed up for a special edition record deal of her latest single Born This Way, backed out of the negotiations after learning of Target’s financial support against gay marriage.
After an intense business meeting that lead her to the decision to sever ties with Target, Lady Gaga had stated:
"Part of my deal with Target is that they have to start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups and begin to reform and make amends for the mistakes they've made in the past...our relationship is hinged upon their reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they've made supporting those groups."
While not everyone will agree on the institution of gay marriage, everyone does have the right to voice their opinion. From what Watson stated, it appears volunteers associated with Canvass for a Cause were well trained and inappropriately targeted as acting maliciously.
The San Diego Superior Court has ruled the Canvas for a Cause volunteers can now protest outside of the San Diego Target store, if they are at least 30 feet from the entrance.
What did Tres Watson have to say?
"I think this is a victory for every American that cherishes our fundamental values,"
What do you think of how the Target Corporation has dealt with the protesters to date? What can be done differently to allow the Canvass for Cause protesters to voice their opinions and have Target customers be happy?
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