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North Carolina gay marriage ban sparks protests

Posted at 7:02 PM, May 13, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-13 19:02:47-04

Some folks in North Carolina are protesting the state’s new amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions.
Eight people were arrested Friday at the register of deeds in Buncombe County.
This is after twenty people staged a sit in demanding marriage licenses.
In last Tuesday’s primary, North Carolina voters passed the constitutional law that would define marriage only between a man and a woman. Since the highly debated vote the President has also chimed in on the issue.
Last week President Obama announced his support for gay marriage.
His stance is flaring up tempers from church goers this Sunday.
President Obama’s support of same-sex marriage has stirred a lot of discussion among Christians and Evangelicals in the African-American community. the question:  do you agree with the president?
“No I do not.  The reason why is because of my religious beliefs  I believe and accept through the Word of God that marriage is between a man and a woman.” Said Joseph Williams, Pastor of Salem Bible Church.  
“There will be some that will absolutely turn against him, because again, we hear it happening as we speak.  
I don’t necessarily agree with the marriage issue, but it won’t stop me from supporting him.” Jim Hill stated.
Some conservatives are hinting the president’s revelation could cost him a second term.
“I think the president this past week took six or seven states he carried in 2008 and put them in play with this ill-conceived position.” American Values President Gary Bauer said.
Republican leaders criticized the president saying he’s shifting away from the number one issue.
“He’s trying to raise divisive issues up to solidify his base and to divide the country, and that isn’t what we should be focusing on now. We should be focusing on jobs and the economy.” Said Texas Senator John Cornyn.
But, Democrats deny claims that the president was playing “politics.”
“I think it was a matter of conscience. He talked it over with his wife and his children, and i know i have talked to him over the years. It’s a difficult issue, a real challenging issue, but i think the president came down on the right side.” Said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.
For some voters it will come down to whether they think the president’s decision was driven by principle, or politics.