By Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WEST VILLAGE — Washington Square Park was transformed into a California courtroom on Saturday, as actors and activists staged a dramatic reenactment of the recent legal trial that led to the overturning of California's gay marriage ban, Proposition 8.
An actor playing a judge presided over the mock trial, which used the actual court transcript from the case — including arguments by lawyers for couples who challenged the ruling and from those who sought to maintain it.
The reenactment was planned by the gay-rights advocacy group WaitNoMoreNYC.
Organizer Kris Lew said she wanted to stage the mock trial because the real trials were not televised, and she said she believed few people would go out of their way to look up the transcripts, which WaitNoMoreNYC obtained.
"It's amazing hearing these outrageous statements that were made during the trial," said Lew, 39, from New Jersey.
"Proposition 8 dictates you are less of a citizen," she added.
Michael Harpish said he appreciated a chance to hear what happened during the controversial court proceedings.
"Because of the overturning of Proposition 8, I'm really interested to hear firsthand what was behind the trial," said Harpish, 32. "As a gay man it has definite meaning," said Harpish, from Washington Heights.
Actress Mia Grottola said reading the transcripts really hit home.
"I can understand how they feel, I want to marry my girlfriend in the future," said Grottola, 24, who lives on the Upper East Side.
Locals hung out on the benches watching the play, and tourists wandered through, some stopping, some asking questions about the reenactment.
Peter Sanzone, 24, said he supported overturning the ban, saying Proposition 8 was not constitutional.
"As a heterosexual male, if i have rights that others are denied, why are we in 'the land of the free'?"
Sanzone, from Glendale, Queens, said he was worried in particular about the implications for his aunt, who is a lesbian and has a child with her partner. He said he fears for the future of their family if one parent ever passes away. "It's destroying family life," he said.
"We want to bring awareness to people about how silly and outrageous the transcripts and the statements made in the trial are," said organizer Larry Dembrun, 30.
"And we want equality across the board, I want to be part of Mr. and Mr. Dembrun," said Dembrun, from Williamsburg.
