Prop. 8 protestors boycott businesses

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- New developments in the uproar over Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage passed by voters last week: Some gay marriage advocates are now calling for boycotts of businesses owned by or employing people who supported Prop. 8. One business has been targeted by protestors on Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles.

About 30 people came to El Coyote restaurant to speak with the owner and to confront her Wednesday. She reportedly gave money to support the ban on gay marriage. Now gay and lesbian groups say that they're going to protest with their dollars and they vow not to support any businesses that don't support them.

The protests started as soon as the meeting ended. Some people walked out saying they were frustrated at what they heard.

"She is Mormon and she was told that she had to make that check and she actually didn't apologize for doing it. She says she loves the community, she loves the people that are here, but she had to do what the church told her to do," said Sam Borelli, No On 8.

No On 8 supporters came to El Coyote restaurant Wednesday to meet with the owner. Eyewitness News was not allowed inside with a camera but inside, it got heated.

"She does have a choice. I know her faith is very powerful. She has a choice: She can go back to the Mormon Church and say something's not right here, and I didn't see her willing to make that choice," said Edward Stanley, No On 8.

"Her son told someone in the meeting that she didn't think it would be public record," said Jason Walker, No On 8.

In addition to boycotting this restaurant, some say they will boycott radio station "K-Earth 101." They claim public records show one of the morning hosts, Gary Bryan, contributed money to Yes On 8.

Eyewitness News went to the station Wednesday and made several calls to the general manager, but no one would agree to be interviewed.

In Sacramento, the artistic director at the California Musical Theatre resigned after protests over his donation to Yes On 8. Scott Eckern says he stepped down to protect the organization. Some gay and lesbian activists had called for a boycott of the theater. Eckern is Mormon.

"Any business that tries to take our rights away, we can't in good faith spend our money there," said Jeff Yarbrough, No On 8.

Eyewitness News was told the owners of El Coyote Restaurant had left and that no one could comment about this.

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