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Annie Krapu can't vote Nov. 2, but that doesn't mean she won't make her voice heard. "It's important voters in this state know students are informed on the issue," she said of North Dakota's Measure No. 1. The 17-year-old helped organize a youth rally and march Thursday afternoon against the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and civil unions. A group of more than 20 students walked a winding route from the Fargo Public Library to the federal courthouse in downtown Fargo Thursday afternoon. They carried signs that read "Marriage is a human right," "Measure #1 is unnecessary" and "Gay is OK." They chanted as they marched. "One, two, three, four, what are we fighting for? Equality, equality," they yelled, as well as "Hey, hey, ho, ho, homophobia's got to go." Rain alternated between a light drizzle and heavy raindrops. Motorists occasionally honked at the group and some bystanders cheered. Krapu, a senior at Fargo's Shanley High School, said she and Eleanor Wilking, a Fargo South senior, decided Monday to organize the rally. They posted flyers and sent out e-mails alerting students of the event. With such short notice, Krapu said the turnout is proof youth in North Dakota don't stand for discrimination. If Measure No. 1 is passed, it might be a deterrent against young people staying in the state or moving to it, she said. Various polls and surveys have found younger voters are more accepting of gay marriage. "We see that we have friends and relatives that come out," Krapu said. "We're celebrating our differences and not necessarily scared by them." Wilking said a government ban of same-sex marriage is of concern to more than just homosexuals. "To me, it's a very fundamental issue about discrimination," Wilking said. On Monday, students at North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College are planning to walk out of their classes at 11:15 a.m. and rally outside the Fargo Public Library at noon to show their support for a no vote on the measure.
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