An early-morning decision by the U.S. Supreme court has blocked cameras from a California court room, reversing last week’s decision to allow the delayed broadcast of the controversial trial on YouTube. The court is examining the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban that was voted into law last year.
The trial was set to be the first of its kind, with its proceedings broadcast on a delay over YouTube. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the ban on its rebroadcast will be in place until at least Wednesday, to give the justices more time to consider the matter. The trial began this morning at 9 a.m. in San Francisco.
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Prop 8 supporters, the side that opposes gay marriage, have been pushing to stop the trial’s broadcasting altogether, saying that it might discourage witnesses from testifying. At the moment, it looks like their effort has been successful.
The SFist quoted a motion by William Tam, one of the defendants, who said that he feared for the safety of himself and his family were the trial to be broadcast.
“The first reason is because I am fearful for my personal safety and the safety of my family,” Tam wrote in the motion. “In the past I have received threats on my life, had my property vandalized and am recognized on the streets due to my association with Proposition 8. Now that the subject lawsuit is going to trial, I fear that I will get more publicity, be more recognizable and that the risk of harm to me and my family will increase.”
The order to block the cameras from the court room came just hours before the trial was set to begin.
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