MCM Moves to 'Watching' Mode
Volunteers to Staff Office Until SJC Decides

January 10, 2003

Massachusetts Citizens for Marriage has moved to a watching mode before deciding what they will do next.

"Regardless of what happens, we are not going away," says President Sarah McVay Pawlick.

"We will not desert the 130,000 citizens who put their faith in us and signed our petition, nor the rest of the 60% of voters who support us but never got a chance to sign one of our petitions. Nor will we spend their money foolishly or recklessly."

Pawlick says that regardless of what the Court does, MCM will be back again in a "leaner," "meaner" format.

"Right now, it's up to the Supreme Judicial Court to decide whether they will allow the Legislature and the Governor's office to continue thumbing their noses not only at the state Constitution but at the Court itself. After the Court advised Gov. Swift on Dec. 20 that the Legislature had failed to obey the law when it adjourned on July 17, both the Legislature and the Governor tried to pretend that the other had all the duties and responsibilities. Both continued to flaunt the Constitution and the Court.

"We were 'babes in the woods' when we started this. We knew it would be a bruising and hard-hitting campaign, but we had no idea we would have to enter so deeply into politics. That has not been our goal, but we have been forced into the middle of it. We still believe the SJC will protect the integrity of our democracy and tell the Secretary of State to move the Amendment on to the new Legislature for their action."

Pawlick says if the SJC doesn't move the Amendment on, there are many other options open for MCM to consider. "Regardless, we will be back stronger than ever," she says.

Meanwhile, as they wait and regroup, they are closing their Waltham office and putting the employees on leave. The organization will be run by volunteers for the present. They can be reached at P.O. Box 812448, Wellesley MA 02482, by telephone at 781-239-0117 or by email at info@marriagematters.org.