The daughter of powerful Chicago alderman Dick Mell was among those arrested in connection with a protest by advocates of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the alderman said Thursday.
Deborah Mell was arrested during the protest in front of the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., according to Mell, who went to the scene.
Mell said he supported his daughter and that he disagreed with national proposals to bring about a constitutional amendment banning marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
"I'm proud of my daughter," Mell said, adding that he knew his daughter was going to the demonstration and was glad that she was protesting for "something that she believes in and that she stands for."
"I think that you should do what you believe is right," Mell added. "I'm not going to tell anybody to defy the law. I am going to tell people that I'm going to do what I believe is right."
IMAGES: Gays, Lesbians Rally In Chicago
Central District Lt. Charles Flynn confirmed only one arrest had been made, but said he had no information on that person.
About 300 advocates of allowing same-sex couples to marry rallied outside the Cook County Clerk's Office Thursday afternoon, demanding that gay couples be issued marriage licenses.
"The fact of the matter is words are cheap," said Andy Thayer, one of the organizers of the rally. "It's action that counts. We demand our civil rights. Orr is hiding behind the law and saying the law does not allow him to do this. The fact of the matter is that the 1960s civil rights movement had to go up against Jim Crow laws that they proudly and defiantly defied."
Peter LaBarbera, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute, predicted the topic of gay marriage could be a major issue in the upcoming elections.
"(This issue) could make a big difference, as it is a topic that conservatives feel strongly about," LaBarbera said. LaBarbera said he set himself apart from other anti-gay protesters standing in front of Daley Center, some with more militant messages, saying a "Holy War" would be sparked if gay couples were allowed to marry.
Gay activists began entering the County Building at about 12:15 p.m. No arrests had been reported, according to police News Affairs Officer Josephine Del Rio.
Thayer added that he expected a big crowd at the rally.
NBC5's Kim Vatis reported that those opposed to same-sex marriage have set up a counterdemonstration at the rally site.
Though issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples is against state law, activists said Orr could engage in civil disobedience.
"The county board cannot make a decision to legally give same-sex couples marriage licenses," said Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois (pictured, left). "But they can ask the clerk to do civil disobedience and to do what's just and fair."
Vatis reported that Orr, who has been sympathetic in support of same-sex marriage, recently said he will only issue the licenses if given the authority. Garcia said Orr should take a stronger stand.
"Rosa Parks, sitting in the front of that bus, had no right to do it. It was illegal -- but she did it," Garcia said. "That is what this is all about -- perform civil disobedience, and to take the consequences of that civil disobedience."
Mayor Richard M. Daley said he supports the activists, but the advocates of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples should change their tactics.
"You have to go to General Assembly, you have to change state laws all over this country," Daley said. "The discussion should be understanding -- you shouldn't hate anyone because of sexual orientation."
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