We spent the night at a hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and prepared to push on to our second target, Maine. The opposition to same-sex “marriage” by the average man on the street was good in New Hampshire -- better than expected -- and we hope that Maine will be the same.
Portland is Maine’s largest city. When we told our friends in the area that we were heading to Portland, the usual response was, “Wow! Be careful, it’s pretty liberal there!”
“Stand on my property for a whole month”
We started the campaign in Monument Square, which sits smack-dab in the heart of the downtown. Like all downtowns, the tall buildings help to amplify the echo of the bagpipes and slogans. People can hear them from several blocks away.
Although we were standing right across the street from the headquarters of the local ABC affiliate, and journalists saw us from their office windows, no reporter (unsurprisingly) came out to cover the campaign.
The most memorable reaction happened shortly after we started.
A man in a pickup truck honked his horn for several seconds, rolled down his window and said: “Hey! I own property on this street. If they give you trouble here, come and stand on my property for a whole month!”
The proponents of traditional marriage have truth and reason on their side, so the normal reaction by the advocates of same-sex “marriage” is relativism. A self-proclaimed Buddhist riding a bicycle approached one of the TFP volunteers and said, “What would Buddha do? You need to be open to all worldviews.”
“Excuse me, sir. Truth is objective. It exists outside of you or me. For example, it’s wrong to steal. Can I steal your bike if I want it? If my personal worldview condones stealing, can I take your bike?”
“That depends on who needs it more,” replied the Buddhist, in a reluctant tone.
Another man called Mr. Cesar Franco a “moron” and tried to dismiss the campaign, saying that we were out-of-staters “creating problems.”
Almost immediately after, another man said, “Thanks for being here.” Mr. Franco asked him, “Are you from Portland, sir?”
“Yes, I am. ”
The first man said, “I don’t care, he’s an idiot too!”, and stormed off.
Culture Battle Nationwide
The campaign ended in time for noon Mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, after which we had lunch at a simple restaurant close to the waterfront.
The issue of same-sex “marriage” in America is on our minds a lot these days, and much of our conversation centered on that.
Almost as if on cue, the TV on the wall tuned in to a CNN story on the recent advance of same-sex “marriage” in Vermont and Iowa, and the bills proposed in New Hampshire, Maine, and now, New York.
The enemies of traditional marriage are working harder than ever to undermine the family and impose state-sanctioned immorality. As Catholics, we must use every peaceful and legal means at our disposal to oppose it.
At the Maine Mall
At 5:00 PM we did another campaign in front of the Maine Mall on the outskirts of Portland. The support from passers-by was significantly better here compared to the more artsy district downtown.
Two young lesbians with two of the most foul mouths we have ever had the misfortune to hear did a counter-demonstration next to us, while a male friend of theirs “bravely” waited and watched from a parked car 100 feet away. The immoral verbal abuse they hurled at us was simply sick and unrepeatable.
After hearing several dozen cars honk in rapid succession, one of the lesbians shouted, “This is why I hate my country! I am going to get you all. You’re all going to be freaking dead.”
A police office stopped at the light and gave us a thumbs up, “We’ve been getting complaints, but what you are doing is fine. Keep it up.”
Refuting a common lie: “Homosexuals have the same rights as married couples.”
“Marriage equality” is the new buzzword used by the homosexual movement in New England and elsewhere. Here is a short response to that sophism: It is true that everyone is equal under the law. This equality, however, is juridical, not biological.
It does not and cannot eliminate the anatomical and psychological differences between the sexes, which create the conditions for marriage and constitute its natural foundation.
Regarding marriage, juridical equality means that all those with the natural capacity to marry have the right to do so. This juridical equality does not create the conditions required by nature for marriage. The conjugal act is intrinsically related to marriage, and nature requires two individuals from opposite sexes for its performance. This natural requirement is totally lacking in two people of the same sex who wish to marry, so the principle of equality under the law does not apply.
Tomorrow, we will be going to Bangor. Please continue to pray for us.
How to Support the Caravan
If you wish to support this vital endeavor with a gift, please click below. 
If you would like to make your contribution by mail, please send a check payable to TFP Student Action and mail it to:
TFP Student Action,
1358 Jefferson Rd.
Spring Grove, PA 17362.
Thank you for considering a gift to this cause, and may God bless you!
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